TB News Watch published an article on February 16, 2024
By Justin Hardy
THUNDER BAY -- A few clinics in the Thunder Bay area are now benefiting from a new investment by the Ontario government.
MPP Kevin Holland announced on Friday on behalf of Sylvia Jones, deputy premier and minister of health, that the province is investing $1.85 million in the region to connect more residents to primary care teams in the district.
The funding will benefit the Lakehead Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic, Greenstone Family Health Team, and Norwest Community Health Centre by helping increase access for patients and improve health programming.
“They're going to be sharing in the $1.85 million that we announced today," Holland said.
"It will go a long way to help them connect those who still don't have a primary care provider with a primary care provider."
“We know that the ask was great and we know there's more work to be done, but we're committed to working with our partners to make sure we receive the health care that we need here in Thunder Bay.”
Pam Delgaty, executive director of the Lakehead Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic, said the funding will have a tremendous impact.
“We hope it will increase access for unattached patients and it will allow us to offer new programming.
"And, I think we want to make sure there's equal access for all people in the community. This is going in that direction as we're sharing resources with different community partners.”
The clinic was hoping for more funding in the announcement to open a satellite location to improve their service. Delgaty said without the satellite, they will still focus on trying to meet the needs of residents.
“The satellite is a concept. We'll just have to redefine where that space is. Making the modifications and building are really expensive and we're going to try to keep that money directed in health care itself, so, in direct patient interaction,” she said.