04/18/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/18/2024 10:59
MUNCEY - The Ontario government is investing nearly $6.4 million to connect over 23,000 people to primary care teams in the London area, Lambton, and Chatham-Kent. This is part of Ontario's $110 million investment to connect up to 328,000 people to primary care teams, bringing the province one step closer to connecting everyone in Ontario to primary care.
"Our government is making record investments to ensure everyone who wants to have a primary care provider can connect to one," said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "While there is more work to do, giving thousands of more Ontarians in the region the opportunity to connect to primary care brings us that much closer to this goal."
Ontario currently leads the country with nearly 90 per cent of people connected to a regular health care provider. As a next step to close the gap for those not connected to primary care in these areas, the province is supporting seven new and expanded interprofessional primary care initiatives that will connect over 23,000 Ontarians to primary care teams and provide services including:
Interprofessional primary care teams connect people to a range of health professionals who work together under one roof, including doctors, nurse practitioners, registered and practical nurses, physiotherapists, social workers and dietitians, among others. Timely access to primary care helps people stay healthier longer with faster diagnosis and treatment, as well as more consistent support managing their day-to-day health while relieving pressures on emergency departments and walk-in clinics.
The record investment of $90 million will add over 400 new primary care providers and 78 new and expanded interprofessional primary care teams across the province. In addition to other historic investments to expand medical school spots and efforts to break down barriers so highly skilled internationally-trained doctors can care for people in Ontario, Ministry of Health modelling shows these initiatives will help connect up to 98 per cent of people in Ontario to primary care in the next several years.
An additional $20 million will provide a boost to all existing interprofessional primary care teams to help them meet increased operational costs for their facilities and supplies so they can continue to provide high-quality care.
Since the launch of Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care one year ago, the government has been making steady progress to ensure the health care system has become better equipped to respond to the needs of patients and provide them with the right care in the right place, faster access to services and access to an expanded health care workforce.
"This investment by the province in the Thames Valley Family Health Team, under the leadership of Premier Ford and Minister Jones, will significantly grow our primary care capacity in Elgin County and St. Thomas. This is great news for our region and will serve nearly 1,200 residents in our community."
- Rob Flack
MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London
"Our government continues to make important investments in the Sarnia-Lambton community. This new funding for our local health teams will help to support nearly 7,000 vulnerable, marginalized, and unattached patients in our community access primary care where and when they need it."
- Bob Bailey
MPP for Sarnia- Lambton
"Today, we announce seven new and expanded interprofessional primary care initiatives that will positively impact the lives of over 23,000 Ontarians, fostering improved access to essential health services. These initiatives underscore our commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility and promoting holistic well-being across Ontario, ensuring that individuals receive the care they need, where they need it most."
- Trevor Jones
MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington
"This investment by the province in the Oxford County Community Health Centre (OCCHC) will significantly grow our primary care capacity in Oxford and serve hundreds of residents in our community."
- Ernie Hardeman
MPP for Oxford
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