Only a handful of family doctors in Ottawa accepting new patients – CBC

CBC was only able to find 3 family doctors accepting patients

Nov 15, 2022

Rodrigo Martinez said Canada’s reputation for quality health care was partly the reason he moved with his family to Ottawa from Guatemala in 2015.

But as a Canadian citizen, he has spent much of the past two years searching for a new doctor since his family physician retired.

So elusive is the endeavour, Martinez said, at times he’s resorted to seeking care in Guatemala.

“To not be able to get proper health care is very concerning, especially comparing it to the lower tier health care that we have in Guatemala,” said Martinez.

Martinez has asthma and ADHD. He said he’s currently relying on virtual consultations with Guatemalan doctors, who can give advice but can’t prescribe out-of-country.

He said he can’t get his ADHD medication renewed in Canada without a family doctor.

Only a handful of family doctors in Ottawa accepting new patients – CBC

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