As part of this plan to connect everyone in Ontario to a publicly funded family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care team by 2029 through the Primary Care Action Plan, the Ontario government is allocating more than $2,8 million this year to connect up to 7,350 people to primary care in Prescott-Russell.
“Access to a family doctor or primary care team makes a real difference in people’s everyday lives. In Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, this investment means more residents will be able to get the care they need, closer to home and when they need it,” said Stéphane Sarrazin, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell on Monday, April 20.
The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) is the lead partner in this initiative, working in collaboration with the Archipel Ontario Health Team, the Clarence-Rockland Family Health Team Inc (CR FHT), the Plantagenet Family Health Team Inc (PFHT) and Community Paramedics. While the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie will receive the primary allocation of funding, the Clarence-Rockland Family Health Team Inc. and the Plantagenet Family Health Team Inc. will also receive funding to support their participation. In addition, dedicated funding will support a community paramedic position from the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR). Together, partners will provide interprofessional primary care services to residents in the region and will establish a process together for accepting new patients and will communicate this information to the local community.
As part of the ongoing expansion of Interprofessional Primary Care Teams (IPCTs), system partners are working collaboratively to implement this important initiative in support of the health and well-being of our communities. During this transition period, residents are asked to use Health Care Connect rather than contacting or visiting clinics to request attachment to a primary care provider.
Priority will be given to addressing the Health Care Connect waitlist, which partners are committed to reducing. Individuals who do not currently have access to a primary care provider are encouraged to register with Health Care Connect to support timely access to services.
The involved organisations were funded through the latest call for proposals under the Primary Care Action Plan, with all 124 teams receiving funding expected to connect another 500,000 patients to primary care across Ontario. Each team has established a plan to attach a high proportion of unattached people in their community, including those on the Health Care Connect waitlist.
