Understanding Health Care Services in Ontario | International Student Support | Seneca Students

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

Not sure where to get medical care?

1. Walk-in clinics

If you have a medical problem that needs prompt attention but is not life-threatening, you can visit a walk-in clinic without an appointment.

To help avoid paying upfront, we recommend visiting a clinic in Alumo’s Preferred Provider Network or contacting Alumo at 416-216-5735 or 1-888-985-1552. Alumo can also help you arrange a medical appointment.

Bring your Alumo Medical Card to your appointment. Most clinics accept the card, but some may charge a fee. If you pay a fee, keep your receipt and submit it with the Alumo claim form to request reimbursement. Reimbursement depends on your plan coverage.

2. Free, 24/7 health advice

You can speak with a registered nurse for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Call: 811 or 1-866-797-0007

• Chat online: Health811 Ontario

3. Emergency rooms (ERs)

Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 for a medical emergency. For non-urgent health concerns that can be treated at a clinic, visit a walk-in clinic instead. Emergency rooms are intended for serious or life-threatening conditions.

4. Seneca Medical Centre

The Seneca Medical Centre is located in Room A3000 at Newnham Campus.

Please note: The Seneca Medical Centre is not a walk-in clinic. You must book an appointment in advance.

To book an appointment, contact the clinic:

• Email: seneca.health@senecapolytechnic.ca

• Phone: 437-312-0370

Please provide your name, contact number and Seneca ID when booking.