- Ontario to add 80 new primary care teams in high-need areas
- $1.8 billion invested over four years to improve healthcare access
- Aim to connect 300,000 patients with family doctors or clinics
Ontario is launching a major initiative to reduce its growing doctor waitlist. It will establish 80 new primary care teams across the province.
This expansion is part of Ontario’s $1.8 billion Primary Care Action Plan. The plan aims to connect two million residents with publicly funded care by 2029.
Ontario’s Bold Healthcare Investment Targets Waitlist Crisis
Ontario’s plan to create 80 new interprofessional primary care teams reflects a shift toward integrated, patient-centered care. These teams typically include physicians, nurses, physician assistants, dietitians, and mental health professionals working collaboratively under one roof.
The initiative follows a competitive application process launched in 2023. Healthcare providers across the province submitted proposals for funding and expansion. Ontario Health prioritized areas with significant gaps in primary care availability.
Since 2018, the province has added over 15,000 new physicians and increased its family doctor workforce by 10%. It’s also investing more than $1 billion annually to support existing primary care teams. This reflects a long-term strategy for systemic healthcare improvements.
Led by Dr. Jane Philpott, Ontario’s Primary Care Action Plan aims to make it easier for residents to access health services close to home. The focus is on prevention, chronic disease management, and mental health support.
Ontario’s push to strengthen its primary care system signals a decisive move to ensure healthcare access is a right, not a privilege. This is especially important for those long left waiting.
“Access to primary care is the foundation of a strong healthcare system. Without it, everything else starts to fall apart.” — Dr. Jane Philpott
