Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini is set to make an announcement this afternoon in support of the Trent Hills Family Health Team (THFHT), translating to help for an estimated 3,000 unattached patients.
Piccini was making his way to the medical centre at 119 Isabella St. in Campbellford the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 8 for the official announcement, which involves an increase in funding of more than $221,000. Piccini caught up with GoNorthumberland.ca ahead of the announcement.
According to Piccini, this is part of the largest province-wide expansion under primary care in Ontario’s history – and locally, this is about connecting more rural residents to care, he explained.
“We know that there are still so many people who are unattached in the Province of Ontario and that means unattached to a ‘team of care.’ And so, what I am so excited about with this, is that we’re funding primary-care and team-based care,” said Piccini.
“And that’s why we’re investing in the Trent Hills Family Health Team. And it’s not just about getting access to doctors and nurse practitioners, it’s the whole team of care that they’re going to have access to, which includes doctors, nurse practitioners, practical nurses, physiotherapists, social workers and dieticians, et cetera.
“That’s why team-based care is so important.”
Piccini was set to announce a provincial injection of about $221,933.
“For the remainder of this fiscal year it’s an increase of over $220,000 – and that will go to the end of March 31. So (that’s) for the remainder of this fiscal, and then, as they staff up, we’ll negotiate and continue funding next year,” explained Piccini, although noting Ontario is of course still working on its budget for next year.
However, this team will continue to be funded, vowed Piccini.
“I don’t want to leave any illusions that (this) will only happen for the remainder of this fiscal – this is ongoing funding now for the expansion of primary care in Trent Hills.”
“This is going to service an estimated 3,000 members of the Trent Hills community who are currently unattached.”
This story is still developing. GoNorthumberland.ca will have more this afternoon following the official announcement.
“At my level, we know we need to expand primary care and … this is part of the largest expansion of primary care in Ontario’s history … This is part of a $110-million investment that will connect now 328,000 Ontarians (who) are unattached.”
It’s believed monies will primarily help under staffing, including connection with another nurse practitioner.
Piccini called this a huge step in the right direction under connecting rural residents to care.
The Trent Hills Family Health Team currently serves more than 11,480 patients across three local sites.
More to come on this story.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
