Finding a Doctor
Many Canadian residents have family doctors that take care of their health care needs for long periods of time. A family doctor has the advantage of getting to know you personally, can treat you when you are sick and can also help to prevent future illness and disease.
Another option is to find a nurse practitioner to provide you with long-term health care. The services of a nurse practitioner are similar to those of a family doctor.
In Canada, health services are provided in a confidential manner. This means that your doctor cannot discuss your health information with anyone.
Health Care Connect
Health Care Connect is a program that helps you find a doctor or nurse practitioner who is accepting new patients. You can sign up yourself and your whole family. To sign up for the program, you must fill out a health information form. You can do this online at www.ontario.ca or by phone at 1-800-445-1822.
To use Health Care Connect, you must:
- not have a family health care provider at this time
- have a valid Ontario Health Card
- have an up-to-date mailing address
You can also search for a family doctor yourself by using the website below:
Medical Clinics
A quick way to access family doctors is to visit a local medical clinic, sometimes called a walk-in clinic. In Cornwall, there are two walk-in clinics that can treat non-urgent medical problems. However, if you know that you are dealing with a serious medical emergency, don’t hesitate to call “9-1-1”. The ambulance paramedics will respond quickly and take you to the Emergency Department at the Cornwall Community Hospital.
Pitt Street Medical Centre
1331 Pitt Street
Tel: (613) 932-6163
Cornwall Health Care Centre
820 McConnell Avenue
Tel: (613) 936-1564
Seaway Valley Community Health Centre
The Seaway Valley Community Health Centre offers primary care services (doctors, nurse practitioners and nurses) for its patients, as well as free community programs for everyone living in Cornwall.
Telehealth Ontario
Telehealth Ontario is a free service you can call to get health advice or information. Registered Nurses will be available to take your call 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
Telehealth Ontario nurses will not diagnose your illness or give you medicine. The nurse will help you decide whether to:
- handle a problem yourself
- visit your doctor or nurse practitioner
- go to a clinic
- contact a community service
- go to a hospital emergency room
Telehealth Ontario is offered in both English and French, with translation support for some other languages. Anyone can call Telehealth Ontario at 1-800-797-0000.
Emergency Department at the Hospital
If you are not feeling well, you can go to the Emergency Department at the Cornwall Community Hospital. In general, you should try and visit a medical clinic for ailments such as a cold or flu, and only visit the Hospital if you are very ill, or have hurt yourself.
The Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The Cornwall Community Hospital is located at 840 McConnell Avenue and can be reached at (613) 938-4240. For more information about the hospital, please click on the following link: