Provincial funding will help add staff at local health centre

Funding is expected to help the Sault Community Health Centre connect people with primary care

Funding from the provincial government will aim to help nearly 2,000 people in the Sault get primary care.

In an announcement this morning by MPP Chris Scott, the province is funding $807,000 locally as part of its Primary Care Action Plan.

The provincial plan has a goal of connecting 300,000 people with primary care this year. The local funding is expected to help connect up to 1,950 people with primary care in the Sault.

The Sault Community Health Centre, a non-profit, charitable organization, provides patient-centred, primary care services to marginalized, unattached patients.

The centre works with social agencies to help address patients needs and will put a process in place to accept new patients.

“This investment in the Sault community Health Centre will expand access to primary care, and bring more health professionals to northern Ontario, ensuring that more patients have a trusted health-care provider close to home,” Scott said.

Founded in 2023, the SCHC currently has a local physician, a registered nurse, a social worker, a receptionist, and an executive director.

The funding will allow the centre to add staff, which will allow the facility to expand hours through evening groups and clinics, walk-in services, and advance scheduling.