December 11, 2009 -- The Nipigon District Memorial Hospital will soon have a new family health team to provide better access to family health care.
The new family health team will deliver comprehensive health care services and offer additional programs tailored to the needs of the community, including seeing patients who do not have a family doctor. The family health team will include family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers and dieticians.
The new family health team in the Nipigon district is one of 19 in the province that are expected to be up and running by 2011/12. Ontario’s existing 150 teams have already enrolled more than 318,000 patients who did not have access to a family physician, and are providing care to more than two million people.
The province will establish 50 new family health teams and 25 new nurse practitioner-led clinics over the next three years.
QUOTES
“This is great news for the Nipigon District Memorial Hospital. I am delighted that with the addition of a family health team, residents of the Nipigon district will have better access to care closer to home." --Michael Gravelle, MPP Thunder Bay –Superior North
“No matter where they live, all Ontario families deserve access to quality heath care. Family health teams are a wonderful addition to communities in need, and I’m proud that these 19 new teams will increase access to family health care for more Ontarians.” – Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
“The Nipigon District Memorial Hospital, local physicians and the health care community are thrilled with this announcement. Additional health professionals working locally in collaborative partnerships will assist in providing comprehensive and accessible care services to our population. The Family Health Team will enhance chronic disease management, disease prevention and health promotion services for residents of the area. This will improve the health of the population and the quality of life for residents in our communities” - Cathy Collinson, CEO, Nipigon District Memorial Hospital
QUICK FACTS
Ontario recently announced 8 additional nurse practitioner-led clinics.
Over 1,260 allied health professionals have been hired to work at the existing 150 family health teams.
Ontarians without a family health care provider can register with Health Care Connect, a program that helps people find care in their community.
LEARN MORE
Find out more about Family health Teams
Find out more about Nurse Practitioner-led Clinics
Find a family health care provider near you through Healthcare Connect
For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 (Toll-free in Ontario only)