British Columbia · Health
Find a family doctor in British Columbia
Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked
Short answer
In British Columbia, sign up for the provincial Health Connect Registry run by HealthLink BC. It takes less than five minutes online with your Personal Health Number, home address, email and phone number, or call 8-1-1 to register in another language. When a family doctor or nurse practitioner becomes available nearby, your community team contacts you.
Who handles it
Health Connect Registry (HealthLink BC, Ministry of Health)
Handles it in British Columbia.
Official link
Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.
Who can apply
Anyone who lives in B.C. and needs a family doctor or nurse practitioner can register, for themselves, their family or someone in their care.
Source: healthlinkbc.cachecked #
Steps
Registering adds you to a list for your community that is shared with attachment coordinators who match people with providers taking new patients.
Source: healthlinkbc.cachecked #
When a provider in your area becomes available, the team in your community contacts you by phone or email. Keep your registration details up to date while you wait.
Source: healthlinkbc.cachecked #
What you need
Have your Personal Health Number from your BC Services Card or licence, your home address, and your email and phone number.
Source: healthlinkbc.cachecked #
How long it takes
Online registration takes less than five minutes.
Source: healthlinkbc.cachecked #
Where to go
To register in a language other than English, call 8-1-1 and an interpreter joins the call. Translation is offered in over 130 languages.
Source: healthlinkbc.cachecked #
Good to know
Clinic waitlists in B.C. have moved to the registry. If you were on one, you keep your original sign-up date.
Source: healthlinkbc.cachecked #
While you wait, you can call 8-1-1 any time, see a pharmacist for prescription renewals and some minor ailments, or visit an Urgent and Primary Care Centre for same-day non-emergency care.
Source: healthlinkbc.cachecked #
Questions people ask
How do I get on the waitlist for a family doctor in B.C.?
Register for the Health Connect Registry on HealthLink BC. It is the provincial list used to match people with family doctors and nurse practitioners, and it replaced local clinic waitlists.
Source: healthlinkbc.cachecked #
What do I need to register for the Health Connect Registry?
Your Personal Health Number, home address, email address and phone number. You can also share recent changes to your health to help with matching.
Source: healthlinkbc.cachecked #
Do I need to register if I already have a family doctor in B.C.?
No. The registry is only for people who do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
Source: healthlinkbc.cachecked #
Can I register for a family doctor in B.C. in another language?
Yes. Call 8-1-1, say the language you need, and an interpreter will join the call. Over 130 languages are available.
Source: healthlinkbc.cachecked #
In every province and territory
The same service across Canada: who handles it and the official link. British Columbia is marked.
| Province or territory | Who handles it | Official link | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| British ColumbiaThis page | Health Connect Registry (HealthLink BC, Ministry of Health) | Join the registrychecked | |
| Alberta | Alberta Find a Provider (Primary Care Alberta) | Find a clinic accepting patientschecked | There is no provincial waitlist; search for clinics accepting new patients or ask a clinic about its own waitlist. |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Health Authority | Find a clinic in your areachecked | The province points you to local clinics by area; ask a clinic whether it takes new patients. |
| Manitoba | Family Doctor Finder (Manitoba Health) | Register onlinechecked | |
| Ontario | Health Care Connect (Ministry of Health) | Join Health Care Connectchecked | Register online or call 811; you need a valid Ontario health card. |
| Quebec | Québec Family Doctor Finder (Guichet d'accès à un médecin de famille) | Register for a family doctorchecked | |
| New Brunswick | NB Health Link | Register with NB Health Linkchecked | You need a valid NB Medicare card; in some areas you may be waitlisted. |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Health | Join the Need a Family Practice Registrychecked | Register online or by calling 811; you must call 811 if you do not yet have a Nova Scotia Health Card. |
| Prince Edward Island | Provincial Patient Registry (Health PEI) | None on record | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Patient Connect NL (Department of Health and Community Services) | Join Patient Connect NLchecked | Without internet access, register by phone at 1-833-913-4679. |
| Yukon | Find a Primary Care Provider registry (Government of Yukon, Health and Social Services) | None on record | The registry covers the Whitehorse area only; elsewhere, go to your community health centre. |
| Northwest Territories | Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) | Integrated care teamschecked | In Yellowknife call Primary Care at 867-767-9294; elsewhere contact your local health centre. |
| Nunavut | Nunavut Department of Health (community health centres) | None on record | Nunavut has no family doctor wait list; primary care is through your community health centre. |
Where to go in person
Places in the biggest cities, from open data. Check the official link for hours and what each office offers before you go.
Clinics and community health centres
Cite this page
Canada Service Map, "Find a family doctor in British Columbia", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/find-family-doctor/british-columbia