Announcement Overview
HAMILTON — The Ontario government is taking the next steps to deliver its Primary Care Action Plan, which is on track to connect everyone in the province to a family doctor or primary care provider by 2029.
As part of this plan to connect everyone in Ontario to a publicly funded family doctor or primary care team, the Ontario government is investing nearly $5 million this year to connect more than 10,000 people to primary care in Hamilton.
“This investment will connect over 10,000 more individuals to accessible, convenient primary care to the Greater Hamilton Area. This means shorter wait times, closer to home when members of our community need it most,” said Monica Ciriello, Member of Provincial Parliament for Hamilton Mountain. “Our provincial government continues to meaningfully invest to make a real difference in Ontarian’s daily lives. This investment is an actionable step towards our government’s goal to connect every person to primary care by 2029.”
Residents of Hamilton, Haldimand, and Niagara Northwest who don’t currently have a family doctor in their area can reach out by phone (365-317-8117) or email (attach@hamiltonfht.ca) to get connected and can learn more on the Hamilton Family Health Team’s website.
The Hamilton Family Health Team, in partnership with the Greater Hamilton Health Network (GHHN) and GHHN Primary Care Network and their partners, were funded through the latest call for proposals under the Primary Care Action Plan, with all 124 teams receiving funding expected to connect another 500,000 patients to primary care across Ontario. Each team has established a plan to attach a high proportion of unattached people in their community, including those on the Health Care Connect waitlist.
“The Hamilton Family Health Team, in partnership with the Greater Hamilton Health Network Primary Care Network, is thrilled to receive these funds to further expand access to primary care across our region,” said Gloria Jordan, the CEO of Hamilton Family Health Team. “Our primary care teams hold patients over their lifetimes, providing critical care and guidance as patients navigate through the entire health system. With this transformative investment, we will be able to connect thousands more residents to the comprehensive, team-based primary care they deserve. Thank you for your trust in us as we continue to serve our community.”
Through the 2026 Budget, the province is increasing overall funding for the plan to a total of $3.4 billion between 2025 and 2029.
The province has already exceeded its 2025-2026 attachment goal under the Primary Care Action Plan, which was to connect 300,000 patients to a primary care provider by March 31, 2026. As of January 1, 2026, the province has attached 330,000 people to care in 2025-2026, surpassing its goal by more than 30,000 with three months still to go.
“Through our Primary Care Action Plan, we are connecting more people to care and have already exceeded our 2025-26 attachment target,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By connecting more families to care in Hamilton, our government is taking the next step toward connecting everyone in the province to primary care by 2029.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government continues to take bold and decisive action to grow the province’s highly skilled health-care workforce and ensure people and their families have access to high-quality care, closer to home, for generations to come.
Quick Facts
- Ontario’s Primary Care Action Team is drawing on best-in-class models of care to implement its action plan, supported by the government’s investment of more than $3.4 billion to connect approximately two million more people to primary care by 2029, which will achieve the government’s goal of connecting everyone in the province to primary care.
- The government is making significant progress on its goal of clearing the Health Care Connect waitlist as of January 1, 2025. That waitlist has been reduced by more than 87 per cent as the plan continues to hit its targets and deliver faster access to high-quality care.
- Ontarians looking to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner can register with Health Care Connect or call 811.
- Interprofessional primary care teams connect people to a range of health professionals that work together under one roof, including family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, registered practical nurses, physician assistants, physiotherapists, social workers, dieticians and pharmacists, helping patients to receive more connected and convenient care.
- Since 2018, Ontario has added nearly 20,000 additional physicians to its health-care workforce, including an over 14 per cent increase in family doctors.
Quotes
“On behalf of our primary care partners in the GHHN Primary Care Network, we are excited and grateful for the trust placed in us through this announcement of Primary Care Action Plan funding. This vital source of revenue will allow us to continue and expand our collaborative work in attaching patients across Hamilton, Haldimand and Niagara Northwest to primary care services, essential for stabilizing and maintaining their health.”
– Dr. Kati Ivanyi,
GHHN Primary Care Network Clinical Lead and Co-Chair
“We extend our gratitude to the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health and our Provincial Government for this important funding, resulting in the expansion of interprofessional team based care across the GHHN. The value of person centered, accessible team based care to our communities cannot be underestimated. More patients will now be able to experience a comprehensive care approach, delivered by primary care physicians, and supported by an interprofessional team that can meet the diverse and growing needs of the patient population.”
– Kathy Peters,
Executive Director, Greater Hamilton Health Network
Media Contacts
Vanessa Persi
Executive Assistant
Isaac Van Pelt
Communications and Grants
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