“This investment will make a real difference for Ontarians, particularly in underserved communities”
The Ontario government has unveiled a $1.8 billion plan to connect every resident in the province with a family doctor or primary care team within four years, a move described as “transformative” by Health Minister Sylvia Jones.
The plan includes $1.4 billion in new funding, supplemented by $400 million previously approved for primary care services. The investment aims to address the long-standing issue of residents lacking access to consistent and reliable primary health care.
“With this historic, transformative investment, we can now achieve our goal of connecting every person in the province who wants a primary care provider,” Jones said in a statement.
“With this historic, transformative investment, we can now achieve our goal of connecting every person in the province who wants a primary care provider,” Jones said in a statement.
Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunities praised the initiative, emphasizing its impact on improving health care equity:
“This investment will make a real difference for Ontarians, particularly in underserved communities. By connecting people to a primary care team, we are addressing barriers and ensuring every resident has access to the health care they need and deserve,” Williams said.
Amarjot Sandhu, MPP, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the economic and social benefits of the plan:
“This is a forward-thinking investment that not only improves health care access but also strengthens our communities. By establishing hundreds of new primary care teams, we are creating a more robust and inclusive health care system for all Ontarians,” Sandhu stated.
The initiative aims to:
- Connect all individuals on the Health Care Connect waitlist (as of January 1, 2025) to a primary care team by spring 2026.
- Provide primary care access to two million more Ontarians by 2029.
- Establish 305 new primary care teams across the province, ensuring comprehensive and localized care.
Primary care teams will include a range of professionals such as family doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants, social workers, and dieticians, offering holistic care under one team.
The Ford government positions this investment as a critical response to Ontario’s health care challenges, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The plan aims to:
- Reduce wait times for primary care access.
- Improve continuity of care by linking patients with consistent care providers.
- Enhance multidisciplinary care, enabling patients to access a range of health professionals within one team.
Once fully implemented, the initiative is expected to provide significant relief for the nearly 2.2 million Ontarians currently without a family doctor. By ensuring timely access to health care, the plan could also alleviate pressure on emergency rooms and other health care services.
As details of the implementation roll out, Ontarians will be closely monitoring how this investment addresses regional disparities in health care access. With an election campaign on the horizon, the Ford government’s ability to deliver on its ambitious health care goals will undoubtedly be a focal point for voters.
This announcement, backed by support from prominent provincial leaders, marks a significant step in addressing Ontario’s health care challenges. Its success, however, will depend on effective execution and a commitment to delivering results for all Ontarians..