Primary Health Care Teams - Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be assigned to a particular doctor or nurse practitioner? 

No. You'll be assigned to a team of primary health care professionals, which include family physicians and nurse practitioners. It could also include nurses, social workers, diabetes educators, and other allied health providers. Depending on your health needs, you may see different members of the team at different times.

Will I see the same person every time?

Not necessarily. You are connected to a team that includes family physicians and nurse practitioners rather than one individual family physician or nurse practitioner. You might see different family physicians and nurse practitioners on the team, or another team member, depending on your health needs and the type of care you require. The team works together to coordinate your care and provide appropriate follow-up, so you can expect the same high-quality, consistent care you'd receive from a traditional care model. 

This means getting the right care at the right time, since you will see the team member best suited to help. 

How can I make an appointment?

Your primary health care team will contact you by email or phone to get started, so wait for them to reach out first. They will ask you some questions and help you get started with the team. After that, you will be able to book appointments by phone or online. 

What happens if I need care before the clinic contacts me or before my first appointment?

If your condition is non-urgent:

• If you're registered for free virtual health care, book an appointment online with Maple. You will have access to free virtual health care with Maple  for an additional three months. Additionally, you could access a walk-in clinic.
• You can also access a number of specialty services without a physician's referral. For more information, visit Find Health Care 
• If you're unsure what to do, call 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Alternatively, if you feel you need an appointment sooner, follow the instructions in your letter. 

For serious medical injuries and conditions, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately.

Will I be able to have consistent care and follow up for my chronic condition? 

Yes. Your team will work together to provide consistent care and follow-up; however you might not see the same team member at every appointment. The team will coordinate your care, so you do not have to start over each time you see someone different.

What happens if a physician or nurse practitioner leaves?  

You remain connected to the primary health care team. If a physician, nurse practitioner, or another team member leaves, the clinic will continue to coordinate your care. 

What kind of care will I get at this clinic?   

Your primary health care team can support many of your ongoing health needs, including assessment and treatment of health concerns, chronic disease management, prescriptions, preventative care, screening, health education and referrals to other services when needed. Different members of the team may support you depending on your needs.

If I get assigned to a primary health care team, do I have to accept? 

No, you can choose to accept the offer or not. We encourage you to accept, since your new team is ready to start working with you. Through team-based care, you will have reliable access to primary health care from a group of qualified health care professionals. If you decide not to accept, you will return to the Provincial Patient Registry.

If I have more questions, where can I learn more? 

To learn more about this change, visit HealthPEI.ca/CareTeam.