By Kam Chhabra, MRT(N), CCPA — Physician Relations Manager, Vitacorp
Most people have never had to figure out where to get an X-ray until they actually need one. Your doctor hands you a requisition at the end of an appointment, and suddenly you’re Googling “x-ray clinic Etobicoke” while standing in a parking lot.
This post is for you. Here’s exactly how the process works, what to bring, and what to expect — so you can get it done quickly and without the usual confusion.
Step 1: Get a Requisition from Your Doctor
In Ontario, you need a signed requisition from a licensed physician or authorized healthcare provider before getting an OHIP-covered X-ray. This isn’t bureaucracy for its own sake — the requisition tells the imaging clinic exactly what exam was ordered, which body part to image, and the clinical reason, all of which affects how the radiologist reads the images.
If you already have a requisition from your family doctor or a specialist, you’re ready to go. If your doctor ordered imaging but you don’t have the form yet, call their office and ask them to fax it to the clinic directly, or pick it up.
If you don’t have a family doctor and need imaging urgently, a walk-in medical clinic can also write a requisition. See a walk-in GP first, get the requisition, then come to us.
Step 2: Come to Vitacorp on Islington Ave
Vitacorp Islington Station is at Suite 603, 1243 Islington Ave, Etobicoke. We’re on the 6th floor, and the building connects directly to Islington TTC Station via a covered walkway if you’re taking the subway. If you’re driving, there’s street parking on Islington Ave and paid underground parking in the building.
Our hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. No appointment. No pre-registration. Just walk in.
Step 3: What to Bring
You need exactly two things:
- Your Ontario health card. Make sure it’s valid and not expired. If it’s expired, call ServiceOntario and renew it before coming — without a valid card, we can’t bill OHIP and you may be responsible for the cost.
- Your doctor’s signed requisition. The original signed form, not a photocopy or a photo on your phone. If your doctor faxed it directly to us, we may have it on file — call ahead at (416) 762-3818 to confirm.
You don’t need a referral letter, a credit card, an insurance form, or any pre-authorization. OHIP covers diagnostic X-rays ordered by a physician when performed at an accredited facility. We’re accredited by Accreditation Canada, so you’re covered.
Step 4: What Happens During the X-Ray
When you check in, our team confirms your exam, your health card information, and the requisition. Depending on the type of X-ray, you may be asked to change into a gown or remove certain clothing (jewellery, belts, or anything with metal in the area being imaged).
Your technologist will explain exactly what to do. For a chest X-ray, you’ll stand against an upright panel. For a hand or wrist, you’ll rest it flat on a table. For a knee or ankle, you might be sitting or lying down. Each position gets you one or a few images from different angles.
The actual scan takes seconds per image. The machine doesn’t touch you. There’s no pain. The radiation exposure from a standard diagnostic X-ray is minimal — roughly equivalent to a few hours of natural background radiation, and far less than a CT scan.
Most patients are done in 20 minutes or less from the moment they’re called in. If you have multiple body areas to image, it may take a bit longer, but our team moves efficiently.
Step 5: Getting Your Results
This is where patients sometimes get confused. You won’t typically receive your X-ray results directly from the imaging clinic. Here’s how it works:
After your scan, the images are sent electronically to a radiologist — a physician who specializes in reading and interpreting medical imaging. The radiologist writes a report, and that report is sent directly to your referring doctor, usually the same day. Your doctor reviews it and follows up with you — either by calling you, at a scheduled appointment, or via a patient portal if they use one.
At Vitacorp, same-day reporting is our standard. We don’t sit on images. The moment your scan is done, it moves through the system as fast as possible. If your doctor needs results urgently, let us know and we’ll prioritize accordingly.
While You're in the Building — LifeLabs
If your doctor also ordered blood work, LifeLabs is directly across the hall from Vitacorp on the 6th floor. You can knock out both your X-ray and your blood work in a single visit to 1243 Islington Ave. It’s one of the practical benefits of our location that our patients genuinely appreciate.
Tips for a Smooth Visit
- Come in the morning — the earlier, the shorter the typical wait.
- Wear comfortable clothing without lots of metal (avoiding belts, underwire bras if a chest or spine X-ray is ordered).
- Double-check your health card expiry date before leaving home.
- If you’re unsure whether we do your specific exam, call (416) 762-3818 — we’ll confirm in 30 seconds.
That’s genuinely the whole process. It’s not complicated, and it shouldn’t take up your whole day. Come in, get it done, and let your doctor take it from there.
— Kam, Vitacorp Islington Station
📍 Suite 603, 1243 Islington Ave, Etobicoke | 📞 (416) 762-3818 | Mon–Fri 8am–5pm
What Patients Are Saying
4.4 stars — 198 Google reviews
“Fantastic team of professionals! Clean facility! Best place for X-ray and ultrasound in Etobicoke.” — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local Guide (141 reviews)
“I came in for an X-ray the other day and was taken right in. This is the fastest and most efficient walk-in X-ray clinic in Etobicoke I have been to. The staff is very professional.” — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cove Mechanical
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to bring for a walk-in X-ray?
Your valid Ontario health card and your doctor’s signed requisition. That’s all.
How long does a walk-in X-ray take?
10 to 20 minutes for the scan. Including check-in, most patients are done in under 30 minutes.
Do I need to fast before my X-ray?
For most standard X-rays, no. Your requisition will note any special prep. Call us at (416) 762-3818 if unsure.
How do I get my X-ray results?
Your radiologist sends the report directly to your referring doctor the same day. Your doctor follows up with you to discuss findings.
Can I get an X-ray without a doctor’s referral?
You need a signed requisition from a licensed provider for OHIP-covered X-rays. A walk-in medical clinic can provide one if you don’t have a family doctor.
Does Vitacorp take walk-ins?
Yes — no appointment needed. Walk in Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, with your health card and requisition.
