Ontario care guide

Walk-in clinic or family doctor: which should I use?

A family doctor or primary-care team supports ongoing and preventive care. A walk-in clinic can help with many non-emergency concerns when your regular clinician is unavailable.

Answer first

A family doctor or primary-care team supports ongoing and preventive care. A walk-in clinic can help with many non-emergency concerns when your regular clinician is unavailable.

Last checked: September 24, 2026

Steps to take

  1. Use your regular primary-care team when available.
  2. Use walk-in care for a non-emergency concern that cannot wait.
  3. Ask how test results and follow-up will be handled.
  4. Call 911 for a medical emergency.

Keep your information organized

Write down clinic names, dates contacted and the next step each office gave you. Keep medical information with your care providers. Do not send diagnoses, health-card numbers or records to Aafiyat Outreach Centre.

Official sources

Last updated: September 23, 2026.How we verify

Important: Information only, not medical advice. For emergencies call 911. For health advice call Health811 (811).