SUBMITTED

A ground-breaking family health team will soon begin operation that will address the diverse health needs of the residents of Perth and surrounding area. 

The Perth Family Health Team is an innovative initiative that aims to enhance the care that will be provided to individuals in the community, including improved access to mental health professionals, addictions specialists, as well as primary care for those without a primary care provider. Other services being added include increased support services for older adults, occupational therapy, and Indigenous care navigation. 

The Perth Family Health Team, spearheaded by a coalition of local health care professionals, is dedicated to bridging the gap in health care accessibility with a goal to ensure that every resident receives the support they deserve. Through a collaborative approach, the team is committed to working closely with existing agencies to avoid duplication of care and instead will identify and fill critical gaps in services. The Perth Family Health Team expects that with expanded services and additional health care professionals, it will be able to connect up to 3,500 new patients to a primary care provider. 

“This significant investment will connect more people to primary care,” said MPP John Jordan, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston. “This is a critical step toward improving health care access for patients who are unattached and most vulnerable in our communities.“ 

With a focus on holistic wellness and community engagement, the Perth Family Health Team envisions a future where every individual can access quality health care tailored to their unique needs. By leveraging a multidisciplinary approach and fostering partnerships within the community, the team is poised to advance health care delivery in Perth and beyond. 

“We are very excited to be able to expand services to our entire community,” states Suzanne Rintoul, Interim Executive Director of the Family Health Team. “We are in the early stages of establishing the Family Health Team and I encourage the public to follow along as we start rolling out services in the coming months.” 

Family Health Teams were first established in Ontario in 2005 to bring together family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers, dietitians, and other health professionals.  These teams expanded access to comprehensive primary health care services across Ontario, with particular focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management.   

In February 2024, the Ontario Government announced a $110 million investment that will add over 400 new primary care providers and 78 new and expanded interprofessional primary care teams across the province. The Perth Family Health Team is thrilled to be part of this record investment and is committed to keeping the community informed as implementation progresses.