The Ottawa Ontario Health Team-Équipe Santé Ottawa (Ottawa OHT-ÉSO) and our Primary Care Network (PCN) are pleased to share that Ottawa has successfully cleared its pre-January 2025 Health Care Connect waitlist

In January 2025, the Ministry of Health announced the ambitious goal of clearing the Health Care Connect pre-January 1, 2025 waitlist by Spring 2026. When this work began, we had 21,698 people on the Health Care Connect waitlist—the highest number in the province. Reaching this milestone required significant collaboration and a shared commitment to improving access to primary care for our community.

While this is an important achievement, we know there is more work ahead to ensure everyone in Ottawa has sustainable access to quality primary care.

Thank you to the many individuals and organizations who contributed to this effort, including colleagues at Ontario Health atHome, the Ottawa PCN family physicians and nurse practitioners, our neighbouring Ontario Health Teams, Ontario Health East and Ontario Health, and Dr. Jane Philpott and the Primary Care Action Team (PCAT) for their support, partnership, and confidence in Ottawa’s ability to take on this challenge.

Most importantly, this milestone represents thousands of people and families gaining access to a primary care clinician and a stronger connection to the health care system.
As we recognize this milestone, we remain focused on the work ahead: ensuring access to quality primary care that is sustained for the future.

If you or someone you know is looking for a family physician or nurse practitioner, please register with Health Care Connect at www.ontario.ca/healthcareconnect or call 1-800-445-1822.