North Durham Family Health Team announces expansion to improve local services

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

SCUGOG: The North Durham Family Health Team (NDFHT) is expanding its services, aiming to improve access to primary care for Scugog and surrounding communities. Kara Wright, Executive Director of NDFHT, presented the exciting developments to Scugog councillors in December.

“We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our interprofessional primary care team,” Ms. Wright said during her presentation. “With the addition of new programs and services, we’re working to connect more residents to the health care they need, especially those who currently lack access to a primary care provider.”

Established in 2011 and funded by Ontario Health, the NDFHT offers a team-based approach to health care. Its interdisciplinary team includes nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and respiratory therapists, among others. The team works closely with the Medical Associates of Port Perry to deliver programs, workshops, and events that promote well-being.

In her presentation, Ms. Wright highlighted the team’s commitment to addressing the health care needs of the North Durham Region, particularly for residents without a doctor or nurse practitioner. “Our mission is to provide comprehensive, team-based care that meets the needs of every patient,” she said.

In February 2024, NDFHT received $721,585 as part of Ontario’s $110-million investment to expand primary care teams across the province. By September, the team had launched several new services, including: an Unattached Patient Program in Cannington focused on connecting patients in the Township of Brock to care, An Unattached Patient Clinic in Port Perry, which supports patients on the Medical Associates of Port Perry waiting list, nurse practitioner primary Health Care Services: Dedicated to the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN), and Expanded Spirometry Testing, which improves access to diagnostic testing for lung health conditions.

“These programs are already making a difference,” Ms. Wright said. “More residents now have improved local access to care, and we’re reaching those who previously had no health care provider.”

Mayor Wilma Wotten praised the initiative, calling it “a vital step forward” for the community. “Access to health care is a cornerstone of a thriving community,” Mayor Wotten said. “This expansion ensures more residents of Scugog have the support they need to live healthier lives.”