Primary Care Expansion in Couchiching
Ontario Health has recently released the Health Care Connect (HCC) Clinical Fact Sheet, prepared as a high-level companion to the HCC guidance. The intended audience includes family physicians, nurse practitioners, and primary care teams. If you have any questions or require further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
What is the purpose of this document?
Through the work of the Primary Care Action Team, led by Dr. Jane Philpott. the government has committed to attaching everyone who has on the Health Care Connect (HCC) waitlist as of January 1, 2025 to primary care by Spring 2026.
This Fact Sheet has been developed to support family physicians, nurse practitioners and primary care teams working with Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in attaching everyone on their HCC waitlist to primary care.
CLICK HERE for the Health Care Connect Clinical Fact Sheet
CLICK HERE for the Health Care Connect Email Update – October 2025
Practice Ready Ontario (PRO) is a provincial initiative designed to address physician shortages by streamlining the licensing process for internationally trained family physicians. The program requires physician supervisors to support the internationally trained family physicians with the aim of obtaining an independent practice certificate. Within the Couchiching Region both Severn and Ramara are eligible for PRO. If you are interested in supporting this initiative locally or would be willing to act as a supervisors please contact Lori Webel-Edgar, Primary Care Collaboration Lead, at l.webel-edgar@coht.ca
Find out more with FAQ and this supervision presentation.
Thank you Letter to HCC and OHTs – May 20, 2025
Under the leadership of Dr. Jane Philpott, Ontario’s Primary Care Action Team is driving a bold and transformative plan to ensure that every person in the province has access to the right care, in the right place, at the right time. With historic investments totaling over $1.8 billion, this initiative aims to connect two million more Ontarians to a family doctor or primary care team by 2029.
Locally, the Couchiching OHT is proud to be part of this province-wide effort. By expanding and strengthening team-based care – bringing together family physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, dietitians, and other health professionals – we are working to ensure that everyone in our community has timely access to comprehensive, coordinated, and convenient care.
This plan prioritizes communities with the greatest need and supports innovative, community-driven solutions to close the gap in primary care access. Together, we are building a system that is comprehensive, connected, and person-centered, ensuring better health outcomes for all.
You can find the official details of Dr. Jane Philpott’s leadership and Ontario’s Primary Care Action Plan on the Government of Ontario’s website here:
👉 Ontario’s Primary Care Action Plan – January 2025
This page outlines the province’s commitment to connecting every Ontarian to a primary care provider by 2029, supported by a $1.8 billion investment and led by Dr. Philpott.
