Huron Perth & Area Ontario Health Team are focusing on unattached patients in the region.
After starting the unattached care clinic program in Huron and Perth counties late last year, the clinics provide essential healthcare for residents without a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
The clinics have seen more than 1,800 patients across Huron and Perth counties since opening.
Robin Spence Haffner, Executive Director at Listowel, Wingham and Area Family Health Team, says that political parties in the provincial election have put forth proposals around healthcare spending which include significant investment in primary care.
“Which is really excellent to see, because unless you get a foundational piece, like primary care working really well, people aren’t going to feel like they’re getting the healthcare system that they’re paying for.”
The Huron Perth & Area Ontario Health Team say that “by ensuring that every patient has a designated primary care provider, healthcare organizations can better coordinate care, streamline communication, and improve overall patient outcomes.”
And the local unattached clinics project has secured funding for two more years after being deemed a successful pilot by the province.
Claudia Mior, Executive Director with the Stratford Family Health Team, says although the clinics are doing what they can and providing much-needed care, they’re not a solution to this multi-faceted problem.
“Unattached patients in this province, and frankly probably everywhere in Canada, it’s a challenging problem, and it’s not a problem that’s going to be fixed with one particular answer in one particular place.”
For more information on the unattached care clinics, visit Huron Perth & Area Ontario Health Team website.
