Urban and rural health care centres in Sarnia-Lambton have received a funding boost to support their operations for the next two years.
The Ministry of Health is allocating $910,000 per year over the next 24 months to continue operations for the Rapids Family Health Team, Central Lambton Family Health Team and North Lambton Community Health Centre.
Sarnia-Lambton Ontario Health Team (OHT) Executive Lead Nadine Neve said the funding will help continue the collaboration between the groups and their organization, and enhance capacity at 481 London Rd. in Sarnia and 596 Broadway St. in Plympton-Wyoming.
“The Sarnia-Lambton OHT is excited to continue our partnership with the Access to Care Centres,” said Neve. “This was a collaborative vision with multiple community partners that has successfully provided alternative options to the emergency departments for episodic illness for residents of the Sarnia-Lambton community, including those living in rural areas.”
Rapids Family Health Team Executive Director Lynn Laidler is thrilled to have the opportunity to continue providing timely access to care for the community.
“The initial funding helped us to expand our services, and this continuation will allow us to further our mission of ensuring residents receive the right care, where and when they need it most," Laidler said.
In its news release, the Sarnia-Lambton OHT said the funding is part of Ontario’s Primary Care Action Plan, which aims to connect two million people in Ontario to primary care teams across the province by 2029.
"The Ontario government is making a historic investment of $1.8 billion over the next three years to support primary care teams In Sarnia-Lambton. Currently more than 10,000 residents in Sarnia-Lambton do not have a primary care provider," it read.
The OHT said initial funding of $910,000 was announced last April, and the clinics have since seen over 6,600 individuals seek care.
In addition to maintaining ongoing operations, the funding will also allow the teams to further focus on connecting individuals to primary care providers over the next two years.