Powassan Family Health Team Expand Services
The Ontario government is investing over $321,000 to the Powassan and Area Family Health Team to expand their services to connect more people to interdisciplinary primary care. It is estimated that more than 2300 patients will benefit from the funding for this expansion.
“Our government continues to make strategic investments that contribute to a supportive and connected health care system in Nipissing,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “Locally this funding will support a full-time RPN and mental health clinician to service Bonfield and South River, and in addition, provide additional access to physiotherapy services in the area.”
“We are thrilled to receive this funding, enabling us to provide access to our Family Health Team programs and services to the patients of the Bonfield and South River/Machar medical centers. Work is well underway to start offering the first of these services in the coming months." Anna Gibson, Executive Director, Powassan & Area Family Health Team.
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.
This funding is 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.
In addition to other historic investments to expand medical school spots and efforts to break down barriers so highly-skilled internationally-trained doctors can care for people in Ontario, Ministry of Health modelling shows that these initiatives will help connect up to 98 per cent of people in Ontario to primary care in the next several years.
Since the launch of Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care one year ago, the government has been making steady progress to ensure the health care system has become better equipped to respond to the needs of patients and provide them with the right care in the right place, faster access to services and access to an expanded health care workforce.