Mcguinty Government Improves Access to Doctors and Nurses in Windsor

Community Gets Boost As Family Health Team Adds Health Care Providers

Windsor– The McGuinty government is expanding access to comprehensive primary care for Windsor-area residents with the opening of the Windsor Family Health Team, local MPP’s Sandra Pupatello and Dwight Duncan announced today on behalf of Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman.

“Our government is delivering real results for our community by increasing access to doctors and nurses,” said Sandra Pupatello, MPP for Windsor West. “Today’s announcement will assist Windsor residents who have had difficulty accessing a family doctor.”

“Today’s launch of the family health team means that more Windsor-area residents will be able to get the care they need, closer to home,” said Dwight Duncan, MPP for Windsor – St. Clair. “Increasing access to care is a fundamental goal of this government, and we are making it happen.”

The Windsor Family Health Team is one of 150 Family Health Teams announced by the McGuinty government since April 2005. Family Health Teams are designed around the needs of each community. They include doctors who work with other health care providers such as nurse practitioners, registered nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, mental health workers and many others depending on the needs of the local area. The Windsor Family Health Team is in the process of recruiting physicians, a clinical lead and a administrative assistant.

"This is great news for individuals and families in Windsor," said Mayor Eddie Francis. "The Windsor Family Health Team of professionals will provide patient-centred care to over 1300 residents with a holistic approach focused on keeping people healthy."

"Through a dynamic team of interprofessional health care practitioners, Windsor's Family Health Team will offer continuous and comprehensive care to residents," said Joyce Zuk, Chair of the Team's board of directors. "Our community governance structure ensures that services will be responsive to our unique community needs".

“Family Health Teams are the next evolution in primary health care services and are strengthening the way health care is being delivered right across the province,” said Smitherman. “It means health care providers are all working together to see more patients to keep them healthy.”

This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have achieved results in Windsor.
Other initiatives include:

• Construction of a new facility at Windsor Regional Hospital’s Western Campus site to accommodate up to 59 longer-term mental health beds as well as renovations to modernise existing facilities
• 54 new nursing graduates working in Windsor-area hospitals
• A new satellite medical school

Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty government’s plan for innovation in public health care to build a system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

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