Longer-term care, lower barriers
A walk-in clinic solves today. A CHC can hold your care over time: the same team for medical needs, counselling, case management, and community programs. For people rebuilding stability, that continuity is often the difference-maker.
Do this first
Find CHCs near you
Call 211 and ask which community health centres serve your area, or browse the Toronto Central healthline CHC listings.
Call 211Call the CHC's intake line
Ask whether they accept new clients, whether your address is in their catchment, and what the intake process is.
CHCs are not walk-in clinics
Parkdale Queen West CHC, for example, states it is not a walk-in clinic — new clients seeking medical care, counselling, or case management must go through intake. Every CHC has its own catchment and intake rules. Call first.What CHCs can offer
- Primary health care — often including people without OHIP, depending on the centre.
- Counselling and mental health support.
- Harm reduction services at some centres.
- Dental care at some centres.
- Case management and system navigation.
- Health promotion, groups, and community programs.
- Newcomer-focused health services at centres like Access Alliance.
Toronto CHCs to explore (via 211 or the Toronto Central healthline listings) include Access Alliance, Sherbourne Health, Parkdale Queen West CHC, Regent Park CHC, South Riverdale CHC, TAIBU, Unison, and Black Creek CHC.
What to verify with any CHC
Catchment area, whether new clients are being accepted, intake phone number, appointment vs. walk-in, no-OHIP access, languages, and accessibility. These vary by centre and change over time.What to say when you call
“I’m looking for ongoing health care. I live near [area]. Are you accepting new clients? Am I in your catchment? I [don’t have OHIP / need counselling / need case management] — does your intake cover that, and what are the next steps?”
Key contacts
Parkdale Queen West CHC
Primary care, dental, harm reduction, health promotion, counselling, case management, and community development programs in west Toronto.
- Address
- 168 Bathurst St / 1229 Queen St W, Toronto
Not a walk-in clinic — new clients use the intake process. Catchment varies by program.
Access Alliance
Free programs and services for immigrants and refugees in Toronto, including the appointment-based Non-Insured Clinic for people without health insurance.
- Address
- 340 College St, Suite 500, Toronto
Sherbourne Health
Primary health care, mental health, community programs, harm reduction, and 2SLGBTQ+ health services.
- Address
- 333 Sherbourne St, Toronto
New-client intake and program availability must be confirmed.
For one-off or urgent care options, see the health care guide.
Peer worker tips
- CHCs are usually better than walk-ins for longer-term support — but intake takes patience. Set expectations.
- Record the intake worker's name and the date when helping a client register — continuity helps at follow-up.
- Ask about catchment before anything else; it decides whether the rest of the conversation matters.
- Mark every CHC intake rule as call-first unless that CHC has confirmed it directly.
Sources
All sources accessed July 2, 2026. Service details change often — call first to confirm hours, intake, and availability before travelling.
- Parkdale Queen West CHC — PQWCHC
- Access Alliance — Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services
- 2SLGBTQ+ Health — Sherbourne Health
- Community Health Centres — Government of Ontario