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No family doctor in Quebec? Here’s what to do and where to get care

Portrait of Tatiana Lévesque

Article by Tatiana Lévesque

Clinical nurse and co-founder of Clinique Santé Lambert & Lévesque

Published
· 9 min read
A smiling child visits a doctor with their mother

Have you been looking for a family doctor for months, or even years? Are you wondering where to turn when a health concern comes up, when you need follow-up care, or when you simply want to see a health professional?

You are not alone.

In 2024, 72.0% of Quebec residents were registered with a family doctor, according to figures from the Institut de la statistique du Québec reported by Le Devoir, compared with 82.0% in 2019.

Still, not having a family doctor does not mean you have no options. In Quebec, several resources can help you get a medical consultation or ongoing care. These include the Guichet d’accès à un médecin de famille (GAMF), the Guichet d’accès à la première ligne (GAP), public primary care services, and private medical clinics.

For people in L’Île-Perrot, Vaudreuil and nearby communities, a private medical clinic can also offer a practical option for a one-time consultation or long-term medical follow-up. At Clinique Santé Lambert & Lévesque, we welcome patients whether or not they have a family doctor.

How many people in Quebec do not have a family doctor?

Access to a family doctor remains an important issue in Quebec. The figure above needs some context, however: Quebec’s health system offers different forms of care, including care through family medicine groups and primary care specialized nurse practitioners (PC-SNPs). Someone may therefore have access to certain medical services without having an assigned family doctor.

That distinction matters. Being able to book a consultation does not necessarily mean having a professional who knows your medical history and follows your health over time. For people who want a family doctor in the public system, the usual first step is to register with the GAMF.

How to find a family doctor: the GAMF

The Guichet d’accès à un médecin de famille (GAMF) is the main starting point for people seeking ongoing care in the public system. You can register online through the Government of Quebec website.

Once registered, keep your contact information up to date so the public system can reach you when an opportunity for care becomes available. Requests are prioritized according to health needs and the system’s criteria. Wait times can therefore vary considerably by person and region.

You can also look for a family doctor, a PC-SNP or a family medicine group accepting new patients yourself. Once you are formally enrolled for care, your GAMF registration ends under the applicable rules.

Registering with the GAMF is an important step, but you do not necessarily have to wait until you have a family doctor to seek care.

What can you do while waiting for a family doctor? The GAP

The Guichet d’accès à la première ligne (GAP) helps people without a family doctor or a PC-SNP find a primary care resource suited to their needs. It can be reached through 811, option 3, as well as the GAP’s online services.

After your situation is assessed, you can be directed to an appropriate resource based on your needs and the services available in your area. That may be a medical consultation, a pharmacy or another primary care service.

The GAP is helpful when you are unsure where to seek care, but it does not necessarily replace regular follow-up with a professional who knows your medical history.

Other options in the public system

The GAMF and GAP are not the only public resources. Depending on your circumstances, you may also be able to access primary care through a local community services centre (CLSC) or a family medicine group (GMF). Some GMFs provide group-based care to people registered with the GAMF. Availability and access arrangements vary by area.

A private medical clinic can also provide long-term care

Private medical clinics are sometimes associated only with one-time appointments. Yet some clinics, including Clinique Santé Lambert & Lévesque, also offer regular, long-term medical follow-up.

Our team welcomes people who do not have a family doctor as well as those who do. A visit may address a single concern, or it may be part of a longer-term care relationship. Ongoing follow-up helps our team become familiar with your medical history and changes in your health.

A private medical clinic can help with different needs:

  • a consultation for a specific concern
  • regular or long-term medical follow-up
  • assessment of a new condition
  • follow-up for an existing condition
  • a consultation when your usual family doctor is unavailable

Already have a family doctor? You can still consult our team, for example when your usual doctor is unavailable or when you need complementary follow-up. If you see several health professionals, share relevant information about your health, medications and medical history with them to support continuity of care.

What if you need to renew a prescription?

Renewing medication can be a concern when you do not have a family doctor. Since December 2024, a pharmacist in Quebec may extend an existing prescription based on their professional judgment to help prevent an interruption in treatment.

If you need a medical assessment or a change in treatment, a medical consultation is still appropriate. A clinic like ours can assess your situation and help determine the right next step.

Which resource should you use?

  • GAMF: register to seek ongoing care in the public system
  • GAP: get directed to a primary care resource when you do not have a family doctor or PC-SNP
  • CLSCs and family medicine groups (GMFs): access various public primary care services
  • Pharmacy: get help with some medication and prescription needs
  • Private medical clinic: book a one-time consultation or arrange regular, long-term medical follow-up
  • Family doctor: continue care with your doctor if you are already enrolled

Clinique Santé Lambert & Lévesque: consultations and follow-up in L’Île-Perrot and Vaudreuil

In L’Île-Perrot, Clinique Santé Lambert & Lévesque offers medical consultations to people with or without a family doctor. Our team can help with a specific concern or provide more regular follow-up. We serve patients from L’Île-Perrot, Vaudreuil and nearby communities.

Looking for a medical consultation or follow-up in L’Île-Perrot or Vaudreuil? Contact our team to ask about availability and book an appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit a private clinic if I am registered with the GAMF?

Yes. A visit to a private medical clinic does not automatically end your GAMF registration. Formal enrollment for care with a family doctor or a PC-SNP, under the applicable rules, may end it. Keep your contact information up to date with the GAMF.

Can I visit a private clinic even if I already have a family doctor?

Yes. A consultation may be useful when your usual doctor is unavailable or when you need complementary follow-up.

Can a private clinic provide long-term follow-up?

Yes. Long-term medical follow-up is among the services offered at Clinique Santé Lambert & Lévesque. You can receive ongoing care whether or not you also have a family doctor.

Is the GAP free?

Yes. The GAP is a public service for eligible people. It is available through 811, option 3, and through the GAP’s online services.

What should I do if my health concern is urgent?

The GAMF, GAP and medical clinics do not replace emergency services. If you need immediate care or have serious symptoms, use the appropriate emergency services. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

In conclusion

Not having a family doctor can make navigating care more complicated, but several options are available. The GAMF lets you register to seek ongoing care in the public system. The GAP can help people without a family doctor find a primary care resource that meets their needs. CLSCs and family medicine groups provide other public care options.

Private medical clinics are another option. They can offer one-time consultations as well as long-term medical follow-up. At Clinique Santé Lambert & Lévesque, we welcome patients with or without a family doctor and serve L’Île-Perrot, Vaudreuil and the surrounding area.

Contact the clinic to ask about availability and book an appointment.

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Important note: This article is for information only and does not replace a medical consultation. Access to public services may vary by region and change over time.

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