About Primary Care

Primary care services (family medicine) are delivered by a team of professionals with a focus on health promotion. Team members include nurse practitioners, doctors, nurses, social workers, dietitians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and community support workers. Primary Care Programs are offered both at the Merrickville and Smiths Falls sites.

Do you need a primary care provider?

If you would like to become a primary care client of RCHS, please register with Health Care Connect (HCC) or at 1-800-445-1822.

Online Appointment Booking

Starting in October 2023, registered primary care clients (with an existing provider) can book an appointment for their annual flu vaccine online! Click here for more information. 

After-Hours Care

If you are experiencing a medical emergency at any time, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Clients and community members may contact Health811 (formerly TeleHealth Ontario) for medical advice outside of normal business hours by dialing 811. Visit www.health811.ontario.ca for more information.

Please note, RCHS can offer same-day appointments during normal business hours for registered primary care clients who are experiencing symptoms of acute or respiratory illnesses. Please call the clinic during normal business hours to book an appointment.

Contact Information

Merrickville Site clients: (613) 269-3400
Smiths Falls Site clients: (613) 283-1952

Clinical Pharmacist

Our pharmacists work closely with you and your primary care team to ensure medications are used in a safe and effective manner. The pharmacists complete medication reviews, answers drug information questions and provide medication counselling and education, especially for those with chronic and complex conditions.

How to Get Services

A referral from a primary care provider is required to access the clinical pharmacist.

External primary care providers, please click here.

East Region Virtual Care Clinic

Ontario Health, in partnership with Durham Community Health Centre, has launched a new Nurse Practitioner-Led Virtual Care Clinic for residents in the community who do not have a primary care provider or who cannot get timely access for an urgent medical issue. 

Those who live within the Ontario Health East region who are experiencing an urgent medical condition can access the Nurse Practitioner- Led Virtual Care Clinic for reasons such as:

  • New or persistent cough, fever, rash or other similar symptoms
  • Imminent concerns but are not life or limb threatening

For more information or to book an appointment visit: www.virtualcareontario.ca

Resources