Funding for training clinics in northern Ontario

The provincial government is helping to set up training clinics for new doctors in Ontario.

The Ministry of Health is earmarking $8 million for 16 new or expanded existing clinics that are tied to the province’s medical schools.

Five of the clinics are connected to NOSM University, located in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins and North Bay.

NOSM U is to get $500,000 for each clinic for the pre-planning work.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones says the clinics will help address the need for physicians in the new primary care teams.

“These clinics will train family medicine residents in a team-based model alongside other health care professionals, such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and registered nurses, combining direct patient care with hands-on learning,” says Jones.

Dr. Jane Philpott, who was enlisted by the provincial government to assist the development of the Primary Care Action plan, says the clinics will help shape the future of healthcare in the province.

“They are training the next generation of family physicians, as well as nurse practitioners, physician assistants and many other health professionals who will work in these team-based environments,” says Philpott.

The first of the 16 teaching clinics is slated to be ready for use in 2027 or the early part of 2028.