Primary Care Program

Primary care is the foundation of Ontario's health care system and is often the first point of access to health care services for individuals.

Primary care:

• Supports people at every stage of life
• Provides comprehensive care that promotes health and well-being
• Connects patients to specialists and other resources when needed
• Prevents, identifies and treats illnesses

Ontario Health's Role in Primary Care

Our primary care program helps integrate and connect primary care across the health care system to enable a strong foundation. Our work supports the delivery of care that is:

• high quality
• equitable and culturally responsive
• team based
• comprehensive
• integrated and connected
• centred around patients and their communities

Areas of Focus

• Advancing team-based primary care by planning and implementing programs, services and health human resources initiatives at local and regional levels
• Supporting access to primary care
• Managing and overseeing contracts and accountabilities for Community Health Centres, Family Health Teams and Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics
• Strengthening oversight and performance support of interprofessional primary care teams
• Developing and implementing evidence-based frameworks for primary care planning and performance measurement
• Supporting Ontario Health Teams to facilitate the implementation of primary care networks to foster strong primary care engagement and leadership
• Implementing connected digital and virtual care innovations that support a more efficient and connected experience for patients and the primary care sector

Ministry of Health's Role in Primary Care

• Set priorities and direction for primary care at Ontario Health.
• Resourcing and setting policy objectives for the health care system under the direction of government
• Establishing strategic priorities and direction
• Providing leadership and governance over primary care programs
• Partnering with key stakeholders to improve care, service integration and enhance accountability and performance management of the primary care sector
• Negotiating physician accountability and compensation