The Thames Valley Family Health Team plans to use nearly $1 million in additional funding from the province to recruit two new nurse practitioners.
Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Rob Flack announced on Friday $960,938 to expand team-based primary health care in the county.
"This investment by the province in the Thames Valley Family Health Team... will significantly grow our primary care capacity in Elgin County," said Flack. "This is great news for our region and will serve nearly 1,200 residents in our community.”
In addition to the two new nurse practitioners, the health team also plans to use the funding to hire a small team of interdisciplinary health professionals to assist those in the community who do not currently have access to a regular primary care provider. The expansion is expected to increase access to non-emergency care, reducing unnecessary visits to the emergency department. It will also bring the Elgin Ontario Health Team closer to its goal of providing team-based care to 100 per cent of Elgin residents who desire it.
“Those of us who already provide team-based care in Elgin County are aware of the benefits to patients and their health outcomes," said Cindy Bratt, the executive director of the East Elgin Family Health Team. "A big thank you goes out to the Ontario Government for recognizing the need in Elgin County and enabling team-based care across Elgin County."
