Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

HUNTSVILLE — MPP Graydon Smith, under weeks of pressure in south Muskoka to help its hospital, gave more than $1.26 million to Family Health Teams (FHT) in Huntsville, Sundridge, Burk’s Falls and Wasauksing First Nation today.

At two Ford government announcements he attended in the morning and afternoon on Friday in Burk’s Falls and Huntsville, Smith said the province is investing $1,264,686 to connect more people to interprofessional primary care teams across Parry Sound-Muskoka.

He boasted in an afternoon release it was part of Ontario’s $110 million investment to connect up to 328,000 people to primary care teams, bringing the province one step closer to connecting everyone in Ontario to primary care.

Huntsville’s Algonquin Family Health Team:

• Received $559,799 “to connect over 1,200 patients to primary care in the Huntsville and Dorset areas.”

Sundridge and District Medical Centre:

• Received $327,237, “which will connect approximately 1,200 unattached patients to primary care.”

Burk’s Falls Family Health Team:

• Received $290,000 “to connect approximately 2,200 patients to primary care.”

Wasauksing First Nation:

• Received $87,650 “to connect approximately 400 patients to primary care.”

Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock was among those who thanked Smith.

“I would like to thank the Province of Ontario and MPP Graydon Smith for this great news on behalf of the residents of Huntsville,” she said in the release.

“Today’s news recognizes the value of community partnerships and the hard work we are doing to expand primary care in clinics such as ours. The Town of Huntsville is looking forward to our continued collaboration to bring health care to vulnerable and marginalized people as well as anyone who needs comprehensive care.”

Smith said the money will “significantly grow our primary care capacity in Parry Sound-Muskoka and serve approximately 5,000 residents in our community. “This investment will help more people get faster access to a doctor, nurse practitioner and many other types of health professionals.”

Ontario invests over $1 billion in interprofessional primary care teams annually, says the release.

Interprofessional primary care teams connect people to a range of health professionals that 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 for 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 government’s website says there are currently 294 interprofessional care teams across Ontario that are delivering care to more than four million people.

QUOTES:

Local mayors and FHTs were also pleased.

Dr. Keith Cross and Jodi Phillips, co-Chairs of the Muskoka & Area Ontario Health Team Alliance Council, said:

“We are thrilled with the recent investment announcement made by the Ontario Government, which represents a significant step forward in improving access to primary healthcare services in Ontario. This investment directly impacts our community, particularly with today’s funding announcement for Burk’s Falls Family Health Team and Sundridge & District Medical Centre. This financial investment will help connect more patients to primary care, and provide better access to primary care services.”

Dr. Melanie Mar, Family Physician, AFHT Lead Physician and board chair:

“We are proud to be expanding the unattached patient clinic in Huntsville to better care for people without access to a primary care provider.  I want to thank all of our partners for their work done to date and congratulate everyone as we work together to improve access to primary care.  Primary care is the centre of our health care system, and we are excited to provide coordinated, integrated care to our community in an accessible and equitable way.

Janine van den Heuvel, Algonquin Family Health Team CEO, said:

“This significant financial support not only empowers us to expand the Huntsville Health Care Clinic, but also strengthens our community partnerships. … Together, we are working towards a more responsive, inclusive, and comprehensive healthcare system.”

Rod Ward, Armour Township Mayor, said:

“On behalf of the Burk’s Falls Family Health Team and the Almaguin Highlands Health Council, we are thrilled with the announcement of primary care funding for our teams in both Burk’s Falls and Sundridge. We wish to thank the Ministry of Health, Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, and our MPP Graydon Smith for making this a reality.

“This announcement is good news for the entire Almaguin Highlands, as it provides potential real healthcare benefits to residents across 10 municipalities,” added the co-chair of BFFHT board of directors and Almaguin Highlands Health Council chair.

“The key message is the collaboration and cooperation that made this possible.  The fact that the Burk’s Falls Family Health Team worked so closely with the Sundridge & District Medical Team to ensure they had a coordinated approach speaks volumes about the teamwork here in the Almaguin Highlands. With background support from AHHC, all 10 municipalities, and the Muskoka and Area Ontario Health Team, this additional funding means something tangible to our citizens. It is a game-changer! We truly believe that this investment will pay back huge dividends now and into the future.”

Dr. Sarah MacKinnon, Lead Physician, on behalf of the Sundridge & District Medical Centre Team; Mayor Tim Bryson, Township of Strong; Mayor Justine Leveque, Village of Sundridge, Mayor Brian McCabe, Township of Joly:

“The Sundridge & District Medical Centre is thrilled to receive funding to expand our primary care team. We are excited to broaden our services and improve access to healthcare for the residents of our community.”

GOVERNMENT STATS:

As a next step to close the gap for the 1.3 million people not connected to primary care in the province, the government is making a record investment of $90 million to add over 400 new primary care providers as part of 78 new and expanded interprofessional primary care teams.

Since 2018 the province has added over 80,000 new nurses and 10,300 new physicians to the health care system.

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