Frequently Asked Questions

Q – I need to locate a family doctor and I am not sure how to go about doing this?

To locate a family doctor in your community there are two options;

• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario lists all physicians and surgeons who are registered to practice in Ontario.  You can visit www.cpso.on.ca and do a simple search for doctors in your community who are taking on patients. 

If you would prefer to call the College then you can call  1 800-268-7096  and use extension 626. This list is maintained by the College with input from the doctors so it may not be one hundred per cent up to date.   

• Health Care Connect is an innovative, made-in-Ontario program devoted to helping Ontarians without a family health care provider find one in their community.  Ontarians without a family health care provider can call  1 800-445-1822  to register for the Health Care Connect patient database. 
• If you are in the Barrie area you can also visit the web site www.barriedoctors.ca and check to see if any new doctors are coming to this community and get the form you need to apply.

We also encourage you to speak with friends, neighbours, and co-workers as some physicians have open practices but do not advertise in the common sites.  

Q - I need to get my baby’s car seat inspected, where can I get this done?

You can click on “Services" in the top navigation bar of this page or from the main web page to obtain a list of car seat clinics that will be occurring in your community. Most of these clinics are by appointment, so you will need to call the extension noted and register.

Here are the current car seat inspection clinics.

Q – When should I call Health Connection?  

Health Connection helps you get information and links you to resources, programs and services you need to promote and protect your health, and to prevent injuries and diseases.

If you’re a parent needing to talk to someone about your child’s development, a teen or adult looking for information to make healthy choices, or if you need resources to assist with your work with others Health Connection can help.

You call Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. to speak one-to-one with a public health nurse or inspector on one of our Health Connection lines. Our number is (705) 721-7520 or 1 877-721-7520 .

You can also email Health Connection.

Q – Where can I pick up water bottles to have my water tested?

Water bottles can be picked up between 8:30 to 4:30 pm (Mon – Fri) at health unit office locations in:

• Barrie – 15 Sperling Drive
• Collingwood - 280 Pretty River Parkway
• Cookstown - 2-25 King Street South
• Gravenhurst - 2-5 Pineridge Gate
• Huntsville - 34 Chaffney Street
• Midland - 1156 St. Andrew’s Drive
• Orillia - 12-575 West Street South 

Sample drop-off times vary by office because of our courier times. Click here for details. Please note that NO bottles will be accepted on Fridays or statutory holidays. 

Water bottles can also be dropped off at the Public Health Laboratory at 750 Memorial Ave., Orillia (across from OPP Headquarters) Monday to Friday.

Q – I need to find what resources are available in my community but don’t know how or where to find this. 

We now have an online as well as a phone system to search for community resources on different topics.  You can call 211 and find out what resources are available in your community on the topic you need. 

Or if you wish to search on line you can visit www.211simcoecounty.ca for people living in Simcoe County or www.211muskoka.ca for people living in Muskoka.