Primary care
Primary care, which is also called family health services, is often your first point of contact with the health care system. A primary care provider will help to coordinate care between services and over time. Primary care is also your entry into accessing specialized services.
A family doctor, nurse practitioner or health team usually delivers primary care.
The range and type of services available in a community may vary depending on its specific needs. There is no "one size fits all" model.
Most often, however, primary care services include:
- promoting good health
- managing ongoing illnesses or injuries
- preventing and treating common diseases and health problems
- arranging for referrals to or coordinating with other levels of care
Services may also include:
- rehabilitation services
- primary maternity care
- primary mental health care
- palliative and end-of-life care
Primary care is important for the delivery of health care services. Yet, many people in Canada do not have timely access to a regular health care provider.
Improving how primary care is delivered will help people in Canada get care when and where they need it.
One way to improve care is by having different health care providers work together in teams. The team-based care model can improve:
- access to care
- quality of care
- health outcomes for patients
This model also helps to support health care providers and reduces pressure in other parts of the health care system, such as emergency departments.
While provinces and territories are mainly responsible for the administration and delivery of health care services, the Government of Canada is committed to working with provinces and territories to support better health care. Canada is investing close to $200 billion over 10 years through the working together to improve health care for Canadians plan. This investment includes $25 billion through tailored bilateral agreements to provinces and territories, with a focus on 4 shared health priorities. One of the priorities is to expand access to primary care, including in rural and remote areas.
Learn more about our plan: