May 2, 2026 – The Ontario government is investing more than $2.8 million to expand primary care access in Dufferin-Caledon, with the goal of connecting more than 7,000 local residents to a family doctor or primary care team. This initiative is part of the province’s broader Primary Care Action Plan, which aims to connect every Ontarian to primary care by 2029.
As the local fund holder for this expansion, the Dufferin Area Family Health Team (DAFHT), in partnership with the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team (OHT), will use this funding to:
- Expand Programs and Services: Support the growth of DAFHT offerings beginning with the memory clinic and diabetes clinics.
- Enhance Clinical Offerings: Improve “Care Days” with a core team that will have a presence at Dufferin and Caledon locations.
- One Point of Entry for Access and Attachment: Utilize a dedicated team to connect unattached patients—including those on the Health Care Connect waitlist—with primary care providers. This team will also support primary care providers with referrals to specialists, musculoskeletal (MSK) and mental health (MH) providers.
Lianne Barbour, Executive Director of DAFHT, noted that while this is an initial step, it represents a meaningful opportunity to strengthen team-based care and ensure residents can access the health services they need closer to home.
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