Many individuals searching for family doctors accepting new patients in Mississauga feel a sense of frustration. The process can take many weeks, and many give up due to the overwhelming number of similar responses when calling clinics. That’s right, when you call nearly every clinic and are told, “We can’t accept any new patients right now,” it can be very discouraging. At BritCare, we hear this type of concern daily from families in the area, and we have seen firsthand the increasing pressure that local clinics are under. Some of the more pressing and real reasons behind this shortage are given below, and by understanding these reasons, you will be able to feel more confident about where you may want to go next.

Mississauga is experiencing an influx of families from outside of the community on an almost daily basis. As the city continues to grow, so will the need for family doctors accepting new patients in Mississauga. New residents want consistent access to their healthcare provider, and longtime Mississauga residents want a consistent medical home to go to.

Simultaneously, the number of physicians reaching retirement age has significantly increased; the vast majority of these doctors have been serving their patients in Mississauga and surrounding areas for several decades. When these doctors retire, their established patient base becomes part of the growing number of patients looking for family doctors accepting new patients in Mississauga. Consequently, most clinics are under increased strain as fewer physicians try to provide care to an increasing number of patients. In an attempt to alleviate some of the strain on doctors and patients, BritCare works to help patients navigate this process and provides walk-in clinics, information, and other viable alternatives to their health needs.

Additionally, the lengthy process of opening a new practice creates delays and further limits the availability of family doctors accepting new patients in Mississauga. The trend many new doctors are following of working in hospitals or pursuing other speciality careers because of the desire to maintain a more predictable work schedule has reduced the number of family doctors accepting new patients in Mississauga. BritCare speaks to families daily about their need for assistance in locating consistent, long-term medical care and provides information on how to maintain their health while searching for care.

Clinic capacity and workload can also impact availability; for example, doctors are busy providing care to several patients every day with check-ups, chronic health issues, as well as mental health issues, in addition to many other pieces of paperwork and follow-up visits that keep their workload at or near capacity. When clinics take on more serious patient populations, this will slow down the ability to take on additional patients because of a diminished ability to care for incoming patients. Because of both of these factors, many families are choosing BritCare whenever they can't find a family doctor accepting new patients in Mississauga, as they can access care much quicker and receive immediate follow-up instructions.

As access to long-term care facilities continues to decline, families are experiencing even greater difficulty locating family doctors accepting new patients in Mississauga. Because of that, they are turning to BritCare to provide the level of support that families require while seeking a suitable primary care provider within that area.

Although everyone is likely to have some challenges finding a primary care doctor, families can stay healthy by using practical means, including walk-in appointments, virtual visit appointments, and scheduled preventive health check-ups as they continue their search for family doctors accepting new patients in Mississauga. BritCare believes that everyone deserves to be well cared for and wants to help families find the best long-term care provider.