TOENAIL TUESDAYS

Get seen by a nail specialist in our urgent, weekly Toenail Clinic

Toenail Tuesday: Rapid Access Toenail Care Under OHIP

At Unify Health, we’ve recognized a gap in the healthcare system when it comes to managing common toenail issues like paronychia, ingrown toenails, pyogenic granuloma, and fungal nails. Many family doctors simply don’t have the time, specialized equipment, expertise or resources to treat these conditions effectively. As a result, patients are often left with no choice but to visit emergency departments, where wait times can exceed eight hours for treatment of what could otherwise be managed in a more streamlined, sterile, expert setting.

Toenail Tuesday was created to offer patients an alternative—quick access to specialized toenail care, for acute medical issues, in a fully-equipped, surgical environment with payment covered by OHIP to deal with acute toenail issues.

What to Expect

  • Step 1: Referral: To access this service, all you need is a referral from your healthcare provider. This allows you to receive treatment covered by OHIP.

  • Step 2: Booking: If your referral is faxed in or you have one in hand you can email us at footcare@unifyhealth.ca to receive your appointment.

  • Step 3: Assessment: During your initial consultation, our team will assess your condition and recommend the appropriate treatment.

  • Step 4: Treatment: We offer both non-surgical and surgical options, performed in a sterile, safe environment. Procedures are carried out by our highly skilled Podiatric Surgeons alongside our Family Doctors to ensure optimal results.

Conditions Treated

Toenail Tuesday is dedicated to addressing a variety of toenail-related issues, including:

  • Paronychia: A painful infection around the nail, often caused by bacteria or fungi.

  • Ingrown Toenails: A common condition where the toenail grows into the skin, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes infection.

  • Pyogenic Granuloma: A small, red, benign skin growth often resulting from injury or irritation around the nail.

  • Fungal Nails: Fungal infections that cause the nail to become thick, discolored, and brittle.

If you have any of these concerns, your initial visit will be fully covered by OHIP with a referral from your family doctor or another healthcare provider.

Please note this is a medical service - regular toenail care is NOT covered by OHIP.

On Toenail Tuesdays, our team provides expert care for toenail conditions in a sterile, fully equipped surgical setting. We’re proud to have Podiatrists who have a Doctorate of Podiatric Surgery working closely with our medical doctors to offer a wide range of treatments, including:

  • Non-invasive and surgical procedures for ingrown toenails and other toenail conditions.

  • Drainage and management of paronychia.

  • Surgical removal or treatment of pyogenic granulomas.

  • Comprehensive treatment plans for fungal nail infection

  • Yes - in Ontario, a referral is required for OHIP coverage for procedural work.

  • You can still be seen but this would not be under OHIP - you may still receive care privately with the podiatric surgeon, with consultation costs starting at $120, plus additional fees for any surgical treatments.

  • Due to OHIP regulations, follow-up visits for new issues require a new referral.

  • Please wear open-toed shoes and loose-fitting pants. Don’t forget your health card and a list of your medications.

  • Many family doctors do not perform or learn these procedures due to insufficient reimbursement for the equipment, time and resources involved, which often discourages them from offering these services.