CPSO’s Board of Directors has approved an updated Accepting New Patients policy, which has been restructured to focus on the key principles that should inform how physicians accept new patients.

The policy gives physicians more flexibility when it comes to accepting new patients. Specifically, it: 

• Allows physicians to decide whether their practice is accepting new patients and which patients they are able to accept into their practice;
• No longer expects physicians to use the “first-come, first-served” approach to accepting patients, and instead enables physicians to use scope-based criteria for determining which patients they are able to accept into their practice;
• Supports physicians in prioritizing individuals with high or complex care needs, family members of current patients, and patients belonging to priority populations for acceptance into their practice; and
• Clarifies physicians’ responsibilities when refusing to accept a patient, including after intake appointments.  

The accompanying Advice to the Profession companion document provides additional guidance on key issues related to accepting new patients, including communicating effectively with patients. It also enables physicians to accept patients who reside within specific catchment areas or geographic boundaries, in alignment with the work of Ontario’s Primary Care Action Team.