Understanding Health Care Services in Ontario | International Student Support

Family Doctor (Primary Care Physician)

What Is It?

• A doctor who serves as your main health care provider
• Also known as a General Practitioner (GP) or Family Physician

Purpose

• Provides primary health care
• Maintains your complete medical history
• Performs regular check-ups and preventive care
• Manages chronic conditions
• Refers you to specialists when needed
• Provides prescription renewals

When to Use

• Regular check-ups
• Minor illnesses (cold, flu, sore throat) 
• Minor injuries
• Ongoing health issues
• Prescription renewals
• Preventive care
• Routine vaccinations

How to Access

• Register through Health Care Connect or find a family doctor by contacting an Ontario physician to ask if they are accepting patients
• Appointments usually required
• Registration period may take a few weeks 

Walk-in Clinic

What Is It?

• Medical clinic where you can see a doctor without an appointment
• Staffed by licensed physicians
• Available in many locations across cities

Purpose

• Treats minor, non-emergency medical issues
• Provides care when you can't see your family doctor
• Offers basic medical services

When to Use

• Minor illnesses (cold, flu, sore throat)
• Minor injuries
• Simple prescription renewals
• When your family doctor is unavailable
• Need same-day medical attention

How to Access

• No appointment needed
• First-come, first-served basis
• Wait times: 1-3 hours typically

Urgent Care Centers

What Is It?

• Medical facilities for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions
• Better equipped than walk-in clinics
• Less intensive than emergency rooms

Purpose

• Treats serious but non-life-threatening conditions
• Provides more advanced care than walk-in clinics
• Reduces burden on Emergency Rooms

When to Use

• Sprains and minor fractures
• Cuts requiring stitches
• Severe sore throat
• High fever
• Dehydration
• Moderate asthma attacks
• Minor burns

How to Access

• No appointment needed
• Shorter wait times than Emergency Room (ER)
• Usually open extended hours

Emergency Room (ER)

What Is It?

• Hospital department for serious, life-threatening conditions
• Open 24/7
• Staffed with emergency medicine specialists

Purpose

• Treats severe, life-threatening conditions
• Provides immediate, emergency medical care
• Handles major trauma and critical conditions

When to Use

• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Severe bleeding
• Major trauma or head injury
• Severe burns
• Stroke symptoms
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe allergic reactions
• Poisoning

How to Access

• Open 24/7
• Call 911 for ambulance if needed
• Cases are prioritized by severity, non urgent cases may experience long wait times

Hospital

What Is It?

• Large medical facility providing comprehensive health care
• Contains multiple departments and specialties
• Offers both inpatient and outpatient care

Purpose

• Provides specialized medical care
• Handles complex medical procedures
• Offers comprehensive diagnostic services
• Provides emergency and intensive care
• Houses medical specialists

When to Use

• Scheduled surgeries
• Specialist appointments
• Complex diagnostic tests
• Intensive care needs
• Emergency care (through ER)
• Specialized treatments

How to Access

• Referral needed for most services
• ER is open for emergencies only
• Appointment required for scheduled procedures

Important Tips:

If you have a non-life-threatening medical problem that requires immediate attention, you can go to a walk-in clinic where you can see a doctor without making an appointment.  It is recommended that you visit one of Morcare's Preferred Provider Network clinics or call Morcare at 416-216-5735 and 1-888-985-1552 to avoid upfront cost.  Morcare can assist you to set-up appointments for medical visits.  Please present your Morcare Medical Card during your medical visits.  Most places will accept the Morcare Medical card. However, some clinics may charge a fee.  You can submit your receipt and claim form to Morcare for a reimbursement of the fee.

It's recommended not to go to Emergency Room (ER) for non-urgent medical issues that can be addressed at a clinic by a nurse or a doctor.

Connect with a registered nurse 24/7 for free: call 811 or 1-866-797-0007.  You can also chat live online.

Seneca Medical Centre is located at Newnham Campus in A3000.  The Medical Centre is not a walk-in clinic.  To book your appointment, please contact the Seneca Medical Centre clinic either by email at seneca.health@senecapolytechnic.ca or by phone at 437-312-0370, and provide your name, contact number and Seneca ID.