Jane Philpott Appointed to Lead Ontario's Primary Care Initiative
The former federal health minister aims to connect all Ontarians with primary care providers within five years.
- Dr. Jane Philpott, a former federal health minister, will chair a new primary care action team in Ontario starting December 1.
- The initiative seeks to address the shortage of family doctors, currently affecting over 2.5 million Ontarians, with projections of up to 4.4 million by 2026.
- Philpott plans to implement an interprofessional model of care, improving access to services on weekends and after-hours, and reducing administrative burdens.
- Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones expressed strong confidence in Philpott's ability to achieve the goal of universal primary care access.
- The appointment has sparked political debate, with opposition leaders questioning the government's commitment to implementing expert recommendations.