Ontario to Introduce 100 Family Doctors in Rural and Northern Areas by 2025

The Ontario government has announced a plan to introduce 100 new family doctors in rural and northern communities by 2025. This initiative is part of the Practice Ready Ontario program, which aims to integrate internationally trained physicians into the province's healthcare system more efficiently. The program will allow these doctors to bypass certain re-education requirements, enabling them to begin practicing sooner.

The Practice Ready Ontario program, launched in 2023, requires participating physicians to complete a 12-week assessment to ensure they meet the necessary skills and competencies. Upon completion, these physicians must serve a three-year term in a rural or northern community. This initiative is expected to connect over 120,000 people to primary care services.

The Ontario government has also committed to investing $88 million over three years to expand the Learn and Stay grants. This funding will support 1,360 undergraduate students who commit to practicing family medicine in Ontario after graduation. The investment is projected to connect an additional 1.36 million people to primary care.

These efforts are part of a broader strategy to address healthcare access in underserved areas, including the Northeast of Ontario. The government is working with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and other partners to implement these programs.