The Canadian Institute for Health Information has compiled data on access to health care providers and finds that Newfoundland and Labrador comes in right at the national average.

CIHI’s numbers show that 12 per cent of Canadians do not have a regular health care provider. That’s the same percentage as Newfoundland and Labrador. Ontario and New Brunswick are the only two provinces to enjoy greater access with 90 per cent having access to a regular health care provider—Alberta and Nova Scotia are close at 87 and 86 per cent respectively.

Almost all Canadian seniors have a regular doctor, similar to seniors in other developed countries whereas people between the ages of 18 and 34 were least likely to have a regular provider.

In the Atlantic provinces, a higher proportion of residents say no health care providers in the area are taking patients.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association says about 20 per cent of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians do not have a family doctor.