Cared by a specialized nurse practitioner
Since April 15, 2024, specialized nurse practitioners in primary care who work in SNP clinics can directly care for people who do not have a family doctor and who are registered on the Québec Family Doctor Finder.
To find a family doctor, a specialized nurse practitioner in primary care (SNPPC) or a group of doctors that is accepting new patients, you can put your name on the waiting list through the Québec Family Doctor Finder (GAMF).
Then, to keep your place on the waiting list, do not forget to update your contact information and to report any changes in your health condition.
Service in English is reserved for individuals covered by the exceptions stipulated in the Charter of the French language. If you have navigated to this content, you confirm in good faith that you are such an individual.
Registering on the waiting list to find a family doctor
Registration on the waiting list through the Québec Family Doctor Finder can be done:
- online, through the Québec Family Doctor Finder (GAMF) ;
- online, through the Québec Health Booklet ;
- by telephone, by contacting your territory waiting list (Guichet d’accès pour la clientèle orpheline – GACO).
You can also look for a family doctor or a SNPPC in a public specialized nurse practitioner clinic yourself. To learn more, see the page Registering with a family doctor or a specialized nurse practitioner in primary care.
Eligibility criteria
To put your name on the waiting list to find a family doctor using the Québec Family Doctor Finder (GAMF), you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You must have a valid health insurance card.
- You must not already be registered with a family doctor or a SNPPC. However, if your doctor or your SNPPC can no longer see you or if you wish to change doctor or SNPPC, see the section Registering to the waiting list to find a family doctor of the page Registering with a family doctor or a specialized nurse practitioner in primary care.
- You must live at the address indicated in your file at the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). If you do not live at that address, you can make a change of address .
- You must be 14 years of age or over. If you are under 14 years of age, someone else who is 14 years of age or over must put your name on the waiting list on your behalf.
- You must live in Québec and your postal code must be listed by Canada Post.
Doctors and SNPPCs in the Nunavik and Cree Territory of James Bay regions cannot register patients. If you live in these regions, you must contact your health centre:
- Nunavik: 819-964-2905, Ext. 344
- Cree Territory of James Bay: 819-855-2744
Priority and waiting time
Once you have put your name on the waiting list, your request will be evaluated and priority assigned based on your health. It is impossible to determine exactly how long you will be on the waiting list. The waiting time can vary depending on the availability of doctors and SNPPCs in your region and the number of people on the waiting list for your territory.
Updating a registration with the Québec Family Doctor Finder
Do not forget to update your phone numbers and your email so that you can be reached easily once a doctor, a SNPPC or a group of doctors has been assigned to you. If you cannot be reached, your request may be suspended.
There are 3 ways you can update your registration:
- online, through the Québec Family Doctor Finder (GAMF) ;
- online, through the Québec Health Booklet ;
- by telephone, by contacting your territory waiting list (Guichet d’accès pour la clientèle orpheline - GACO).
To change your address, you must use the Service québécois de changement d’adresse (SQCA) . In addition to being forwarded to several departments and agencies, including the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec, your new address will be automatically updated in the GAMF.
By keeping your registration up to date, you will keep your place on the waiting list.
Reporting a change in your health condition
You can report a change in your health situation online, through the Québec Family Doctor Finder (GAMF) .
You may also request an evaluation of your health by a nurse if this service is offered by the territory waiting list (Guichet d’accès pour la clientèle orpheline - GACO). The nurse will update the priority assigned to your registration based on your health.
Getting an appointment with a family doctor or a specialized nurse practitioner in primary care during the waiting period
To get a medical appointment, people on the waiting list through the GAMF can contact the Primary Care Access Point in their region. They will be referred to the professional or medical service that best meets their need.
For people cared for by a group of doctors
Once you have registered with the GAMF or after your healthcare professional has retired, a group of doctors could take care of you. When you need a medical appointment, you have to contact the Primary Care Access Point.
For more information, consult the page Being cared for by a group of doctors.
Last update: April 15, 2024