The province’s Primary Care Health Fund is going to be helping connect more Dryden and area residents with a doctor.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford was at the Dryden Regional Health Centre on Tuesday to share the news with the Family Health Team.
As part of this plan to connect everyone in Ontario to a publicly funded family doctor or primary care team, the Ontario government is investing more than $2.1 million this year to connect up to 2, 980 people to primary care in Dryden.
“This is a testament to the leaders, staff and the various departments that continue to shape and grow the healthcare systems that are responsive to our region,” said Rickford. “Through this funding, we are making sure that our government is there to support Dryden Regional Health Centre in a meaningful way.”
“We are extremely grateful for these provincial investments in healthcare announced by Minister Rickford. These funds will help to ensure that more patients are able to access care for patients in the North. The Primary Care Action Plan funding will be used in collaboration with Mary Berglund Community Health Center in Ignace, and the Points North Family Health Team in Vermilion Bay to connect more patients in our catchment area with nurse practitioners, mental health services, diabetes management, nursing services, and traditional healing. We deeply appreciate the ongoing support of Minister Rickford for recognizing the importance of strengthening hospital and healthcare services across Northwestern Ontario. These investments are fundamental to help sustain and expand patient care services to meet the unique needs of the communities we serve.”
Doreen Armstrong-Ross MBA, HBScN, RN, CEO and President
Since 2018, Ontario has added nearly 20,000 additional physicians to its health-care workforce, including an over 14 per cent increase in family doctors.
During the visit by the Kenora-Rainy River MPP he also announced $90,000 in funding for addictions treatment, $268,200 to increase access and care for surgeries including orthopedic surgeries and $146,000 for additional support for CT hours.
