Ontario investing more than $4.2-million to connect patients to primary care in Bruce-Grey

The Government of Ontario will be investing $4,201,000 in primary-care organizations across Bruce and Grey counties in 2026, as part of the province's plan to connect every Ontarian to a primary-care provider by 2029.

The announcement was made by Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, rural affairs minister, and Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers Thursday.

"Ensuring that every resident in Bruce and Grey counties has access to a primary-care provider is essential to building a stronger, healthier Ontario," said Thompson. "Through the Primary Care Action Plan, our government is taking meaningful steps to improve access, reduce wait times, and strengthen health-care services for families across our region."

"Access to a family doctor or care provider is an issue I hear about in all corners of my constituency," said Vickers. "Our government is proud of our $3.4-billion commitment to primary care, and this announcement shows that we are serious about attaching every Ontarian to high-quality care."

Additional annual funding through the province's Primary Care Action Plan will be provided to the following organizations: Kincardine Family Health Team, Hanover Family Health Team, Noongwa Gamig Incorporated, Owen Sound Family Health Team, Peninsula Family Health Team, and Southeast Grey Community Health Centre.

The funding aims to add 17.8 inter-disciplinary health-care professionals across these organizations and in the communities of Grey Highlands, Meaford, Owen Sound, Saugeen Shores, South Bruce Peninsula, and the Town of the Blue Mountains.

"The Grey Bruce Ontario Health Team and Primary Care Network welcome the provincial investment of more than $4.2-million to help attach approximately 9,000 local residents to a family doctor or nurse practitioner," said Lindsay Johnston, executive director of the Grey Bruce Ontario Health Team. "This funding strengthens primary-care capacity across our region, improves timely access to continuous, team-based care, and will make a measurable difference in health outcomes for our communities."

The province's Primary Care Action Plan has committed $3.4-billion, with the goal to commit every Ontarian to care by 2029. You can learn more about the plan at the following link.

Individuals in need of a primary-care provider are encouraged to register for Health Care Connect, the province's primary-care waiting list, by calling 8-1-1, or visiting the following link.