Almaguin News published an article on February 20, 2024
By Sarah Bissonette
Thousands of Almaguin residents should soon have a primary care provider.
On Friday, Feb. 16, Parry Sound—Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith was at the Almaguin Highlands Health Centre, where $290,000 was announced to cover two health care positions with the Burk’s Falls Family Health Team and $327,000 for 2.5 positions for the Sundridge and District Medical Centre, according to a press release.
This means, that 2,200 new patients can be rostered in Burk’s Falls and 1,200 in Sundridge, for a total of 3,400 Almaguin residents now able to have a primary health care provider, according to the province.
“This announcement is good news for the entire Almaguin Highlands, as it provides potential real health-care benefits to residents across 10 municipalities. The key message is the collaboration and co-operation that made this possible,” said Armour Mayor Rod Ward, who chairs the Almaguin Highlands Health Council and is co-chair of the Burk’s Falls Family Health Team, in a written response. “The fact that the Burk’s Falls Family Health Team worked so closely with the Sundridge and District Medical Team to ensure they had a co-ordinated approach speaks volumes about the teamwork here in the Almaguin Highlands.”
The proposals were also supported by the area municipalities and the Muskoka and Area Ontario Health Team, wrote Ward.
The two health-care offices applied for increased funds through the province’s 2023 call for proposals to help the 1.3 million Ontarians waiting for a primary care provider. Through that process, the province has pledged $90 million for 400 new primary care providers.