OWEN SOUND – The McGuinty government is providing better access to better health care in Owen Sound with the creation of a Family Health Team, part of the 52 Family Health Teams and three networks of Family Health Teams approved province-wide, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

Family Health Teams (FHTs) include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals working together to provide comprehensive care day and night, seven days a week. This includes access by phone to a registered nurse. Physicians working in an inter-disciplinary team model can provide care for up to 52 per cent more patients than those working in a solo practice.

"We're changing the way health care is delivered in Owen Sound by making it more responsive to the needs of the community," said Smitherman. "More patients in this city will now have access to a family doctor and health team of their own to help keep them healthy and treat them when they get sick."

Smitherman made the announcement at the Owen Sound FHT.

The Owen Sound FHT will include a core group of up to 28 physicians working with nurse practitioners and registered nurses. In addition, local health care providers and community leaders are proposing to include social workers, mental health workers and dieticians to meet the specific needs of Owen Sound. These health care professionals will provide comprehensive care and specialised services that include diabetic care, mental health and geriatric services to area residents. The Owen Sound FHT will work closely with the Municipality of Owen Sound and many local resources to ensure residents receive the best care possible.

Thirty-five of the new Family Health Teams will be located in communities designated as underserviced with respect to family physicians.

"What this means is that thousands of so-called orphan patients, who do not have access to the most basic health care, will soon be receiving treatment not only from a doctor but from a whole team of dedicated health care professionals," said Smitherman.

"This is exactly what a community like ours needs," said Dr. Cam Tweedie, lead physician with the Owen Sound FHT. "It provides patients with greater access to the care they need, and doctors and other health care professionals with more flexibility. My colleagues and I are excited about working together to deliver better health care opportunities in the community we serve."

Today's announcement is part of the McGuinty government's comprehensive plan to improve health care in Ontario. It's a plan that includes creating Family Health Teams, reducing wait times for key procedures, increasing the number of doctors and nurses, and investing heavily in community-based health care services to ease the pressure on hospitals and deliver health care where patients need it most – closer to home.

For further information :

Members of the general public : (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154

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