What exactly are the options if you are unable to get a family doctor, that seems to be the norm - (or is it?), and a family member falls ill. Lets say just an infection for a cut or perhaps more seriously a major illness?

You go to your local drop in clinic ... it's actually more convenient than having a family doctor.

For really serious stuff you could always go to the hospital ....

Like Glaswegian said, there are walk-in clinics where you just turn up and wait in a queue. I haven't had to wait too long - about 30 mins so far. The only problem is that they seem to be for temporary fixes. They aren't like having a family doctor who knows your medical history etc. and can give you on-going treatment.

I imagine that for anything serious you go to the Emergency dept as usual. I'm not sure what happens if you need treatment (or in my case, an investigative procedure) within a hospital. The doctor in my walk-in could only suggest that I find a family doctor somehow (?!) so that I could be referred as he doesn't seem to be able to refer me.

When I spoke to the receptionist about possibly going back to the UK to get treatment, she said she wouldn't blame me if I did and thought the situation would get worse in Canada before it gets better. :scared:

Not very reassuring I'm afraid - I would be going completely mad if it was one of my kids that needed particular treatment but couldn't because of a bad system! It has really shocked me to be honest and may be the deal breaker that takes us back home. Imagine that - going back to the UK because the NHS is better than here.

Isn't that always the case, no NHS, and suddenly it's more appreciated...
can't you get private medical insurance and get a doctor that way?

Not in Canada. You can go to the States - if you can afford it.

Cost a bloomin' fortune....

why don't you call the Hospital and find out which Dr.s are taking new patients....thats what we did. Doesn't that work in Ontario?

I'll give that a try too, although the receptionist at the walk-in told me there were none at all in London at the moment. I was laughed at when I first enquired about registering with a family doctor a few months ago - very funny! It was as if I was asking for the moon! I've spoken to quite a few people here that are all saying the same thing - maybe London has a particular shortage?

Find a better drop-in, ours does exactly that ... ours will even refer you to specialists and keep track of the results for you.

Maybe the medical system in Alberta is better than Ontario? We've never had any problems getting good treatment, but all I read from is complaints about the Ontario system.

Sounds like it might be - maybe we'll just end up heading over your way instead!

Why not ... lots of other people land in Ontario or BC and end up in Alberta.