The Group Health Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario has revealed plans to assign 14,000 patients to primary care providers by early 2027. The announcement came on Tuesday, stating that 8,000 patients currently being served at the temporary Access Care Clinic will transition to the Group Health Centre by December. The temporary clinic was established as a solution when 10,000 patients lost their family doctors in the Sault and surrounding areas last year due to retirements and a persistent shortage of physicians.
Additionally, the health centre disclosed that another 6,000 individuals in the Algoma district will be accommodated through the Grow Your Own Nurse Practitioner Program, which commenced in 2024 and recently produced its first graduate. Group Health CEO Lil Silvano mentioned that patients in this program will be assigned to providers over the next 18 months. Silvano explained that the program supports nurse practitioners in advancing from registered nurses to nurse practitioners by sponsoring their education and subsequently having them work as primary care providers at the health center.
To fulfill these commitments, the Group Health Centre is in the process of recruiting a total of eight providers, including three nurse practitioners, three Practice Ready Ontario physicians, and two family physicians. Dr. Jodie Stewart, the board chair of the Algoma District Medical Group, described the recent developments as a significant milestone in primary care, emphasizing the positive impact on patient care and access to services.
Moreover, the health center acknowledged the ongoing challenges related to retirements and patient de-rosterings but expressed confidence in the recruitment efforts and program initiatives to mitigate potential disruptions in care. The temporary Access Care Clinic is expected to close once all patients have been reassigned to primary care providers. Silvano indicated plans to train additional nurse practitioners to enhance capacity and support physicians in managing patient loads effectively.
While specific figures on residents without primary care providers in the Algoma district remain uncertain, Group Health has expanded its specialist recruitment in key areas to improve local access to specialized care. Dr. Stewart emphasized the importance of these specialists in reducing wait times and ensuring comprehensive care is available locally.