NEWS RELEASE
GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO
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KITCHENER-WATERLOO REGION — The Ontario government is investing over $2.9 million to connect nearly 9,000 people to primary care teams in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. This is part of Ontario’s $110 million investment to connect up to 328,000 people to primary care providers, 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 people across Kitchener-Waterloo Region the opportunity to connect to primary care brings us that much closer to this goal.”
Ontario 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 the KitchenerWaterloo region, the province is supporting the expansion of an existing nurse practitioner-led clinic and the opening of two new community health centre sites in the region. Together, these initiatives will connect nearly 9,000 Ontarians with primary care teams in their community and provide services including:
- A new primary care satellite location for a community health centre to deliver primary care services to people living in the rural area surrounding Cambridge and North Dumfries.
- Expanded nurse practitioner-led clinic to help connect more people with primary care services in Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding areas.
- A new community health centre location in Wellesley to connect people in the rural and north parts of Woolwich County with primary cares services.
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 $110 million includes $90 million to 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, the government has been making steady progress to ensure the health care system is 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.
Quick Facts:
- Ontario’s investment of $90 million triples the original $30 million earmarked to expand interprofessional primary care teams and will deliver over four times as many initiatives as outlined in the Your Health Plan.
- As part of the 2024 Ontario Budget, through an additional $546 million over three years, the province is creating new and expanded primary care teams to connect approximately 600,000 people to team-based primary care.
- Ontario is the first province to have a publicly funded Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic program and with the provincewide primary care team expansion, Ontario is adding six new and expanded Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics.
- Since 2018, Ontario has added 12,500 new physicians and is continuing to grow the workforce by breaking down barriers for internationally educated physicians, including through the new Practice Ready Ontario Program that will add 50 new physicians this year.
- The new and expanded teams are the result of a provincewide call for proposals that took place in 2023. All proposals were thoroughly reviewed by Ontario Health based on criteria prioritizing areas of greatest need, to connect a greater number of people currently without a regular primary care provider with these services closer to home, with successful proposals approved by the Ministry of Health.
- Ontario leads the country in how many people benefit from a long-term, stable relationship with a family doctor or primary care provider. Since 2018, the province has added over 80,000 new nurses and 12,500 new physicians to the health care system.
Quotes:
“This is excellent news for the people of Cambridge and North Dumfries Township who are in need of a healthcare provider. The team at Langs Community Health Centre has been providing excellent care to patients in our community for many years and this funding ensures more local residents can receive health care where and when they need it.” - Brian Riddell MPP, Cambridge
“We know that access to quality healthcare is a priority for Ontarians in Waterloo Region and across the province. I am pleased to see this funding expanding primary care access in communities in our region so that our residents have access to the care they need, close to home, and when they need it most.” - Mike Harris MPP, Kitchener-Conestoga
“The Ontario government’s investment in our region is a vital step toward ensuring that more people in the Kitchener-Waterloo area have access to primary care. Our community has a strong network of dedicated healthcare professionals, and this funding will help expand their reach, providing timely and comprehensive care to those who need it most.” - Jess Dixon MPP, Kitchener South-Hespeler
“On behalf of the Waterloo Region Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, I want to express our sincere gratitude to the provincial government for their commitment to strengthening primary care. The recent investment from the province of Ontario in expanding interprofessional teams represents a significant advancement in improving access to care for underserved communities and addressing the needs of unattached patients. Ensuring access to primary care for all Ontarians will not only enhance the health and wellbeing of our communities but will also reduce wait times and emergency room visits. We commend our provincial partners for recognizing the essential role Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics play in addressing the urgent challenges facing primary care.” - Leanne Terry Executive Director, Waterloo Region Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic
“We are excited to receive this funding from the Ministry of Health, which will allow us to further enhance the delivery of healthcare services in our communities. This investment will support our efforts to build stronger, more integrated primary care teams and improve access to timely and coordinated care for individuals and families in the Waterloo Region.” - Debbie Hollahan Chief Executive Officer, Langs Community Health Centre
“WCHC is thrilled with the Ontario government’s investment in primary care in our rural townships. This investment allows WCHC to operate a facility in a unique partnership with the Township of Wellesley that will connect thousands more patients to primary care, which will include access to a provider, counselling, community connection, nursing, and health education. Access to primary care is a vital component in a person’s health journey and WCHC is pleased to continue its 40-year history in providing that access to quality health care.” - Benjamin Hesch Chief Executive Officer, Woolwich Community Health Centre
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