Hi, My family and I are moving to Markham/Whitchurch/Whitby area, depending on where we can find a good rental property. I was wondering what the situation is re getting a family dr in those areas? We have a wonderful dr here in NS but it is now really hard to find one here, we were lucky when we arrived 6 years ago.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Tracy

Tracy - I live in Brooklin, which is to the north of Whitby and have a family doctor in Ajax, about 15 minutes drive away. I’m not aware of people locally here having a problem getting a family doctor.

You’re really doing it? 😁

We had no trouble finding a doc in the two places we lived since moving here.
Although we have also used the walk in clinics too which worked out just fine too.

What I've found is that, if you go to a walk in clinic a couple of times, the doctor will ask to be your family doctor. I assume that's for financial reasons. The first walk in doctor who asked wasn't someone I really got on with so I declined, the second one suits me so I signed up. I haven't noticed a doctor shortage.

Assuming that by Whitchurch you mean Stouffville, we had some trouble when we arrived in 2011. I couldn't find a practice to register with for two years, but eventually found one in Aurora. Stouffville is pretty small though, and I think I've seen doctors taking on patients since then.

(Incidentally do doctors de-register you if you don't go? None of us have seen her since I had my 'suitable patient' interview)

I do remember reading that doctors were removing patients from their list after a period of no contact but I'm not sure where that was.

Doc: Hello, I've not seen you for a while.
Patient: No, I've been ill.

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. Yes, Nicky, looks like we're actually doing it! Eek! Exciting and scary!

Well I think that’s really exciting. Hopefully we’ll meet up sometime. 😀

:-)