Improving primary care at Orléans Health Hub a welcome step forward

Ontario’s healthcare system is at a breaking point. Across the province, more than one in four people – up to 4.1 million – do not have access to their own family doctor. CHEO just reported the longest ER wait times in Ontario and here in Orléans, 15,329 residents are struggling without a family physician. This isn’t just a statistic, it’s a reality that affects the well-being of our families, friends, and neighbor.

What’s more, the situation is poised to worsen. In the next five years, 2,336 physicians—serving more than 3 million Ontarians are expected to retire. This crisis didn’t happen overnight, and it won’t be solved without immediate action and meaningful investments.

That’s why I am fighting to ensure our healthcare system delivers what Ontarians need: accessible, timely, and patient-focused care, close to home. Our plan will address the challenges head-on by training, attracting, and retaining 3,100 new family doctors by 2029. These family doctors will be supported by modernized practices that connect patients to care close to home, available during evenings and weekends, and fully integrated with home care and mental health services.

We’re not stopping there. To build a foundation for the future, we’ll create two new medical schools and double the number of residencies to train the next generation of family doctors. We’ll also ensure that healthcare finally steps into the 21st century by modernizing medical records, improving specialist referrals, and, yes, ending the reliance on outdated fax machines.

For patients, this means fewer hurdles and more choices. We will eliminate penalties for those who need to use walk-in clinics, ensuring care is there when it’s needed most.

Here in Orléans, I’m encouraged by the Montfort Hospital’s new audacious strategic plan released in November 2024. The #1 point in the new plan – Primary Care services in Orléans at the Aline-Chrétien Health Hub – and I am committed to seeing this project succeed. Montfort’s commitment to world-class healthcare aligns with the priorities of our community.

Health care is a right, not a privilege. Ontario can no longer afford to under-invest in the lifeline of our communities. It’s time to fix the system – ensuring that no one in Orléans, or anywhere in Ontario, is left behind. Together, we can rebuild a healthcare system that works for everyone. Let’s get this done.