Ontario enlists Philpott to ensure every resident has a doctor

In Ontario, Canada, the provincial government has appointed former federal health minister Jane Philpott to lead an initiative aimed at connecting every resident with a primary care provider by 2030. This initiative, called the primary care action team, will focus on enhancing access to family doctors and nurse practitioners within publicly funded teams. Philpott, who has a strong background in health sciences as the dean of Queen’s University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, will implement a new interprofessional model of care that includes extended hours and improved access to specialists and digital health tools. The Ontario government emphasizes the importance of ensuring that healthcare access is as ubiquitous and reliable as public education, which is reflected in Philpott’s commitment to this goal. The plan also seeks to reduce the administrative workload on healthcare providers, who currently spend significant time on paperwork, allowing them to focus more on patient care. Over the past few years, Ontario has welcomed over 12,500 new physicians into its healthcare system, including a notable 10 percent increase in family doctors since 2018. Additionally, York University is set to open a new medical school focused on primary care training, aligning with the initiative's objectives. This strategic move comes amidst ongoing calls from family physicians for improvements in their working conditions and the overall healthcare system in Ontario, aimed at fostering a more efficient and accessible primary care network by the end of the decade.