SDG Counties Seeks Funding to Address Rural Healthcare Shortage

SDG Counties has submitted a funding application to tackle a significant shortage of primary healthcare providers in the region. Currently, over 21,000 residents in the City of Cornwall, Russell, and Akwesasne lack a primary care provider. This figure is projected to worsen as eight doctors and nurse practitioners are set to retire within the next three years.

According to data from the Great River Ontario Health Team, sourced from Ontario Health, the situation is particularly dire in South Glengarry, where 15 percent of residents are unattached to a primary caregiver. North Glengarry follows closely with 14 percent, while North Dundas reports a lower figure of 6 percent, indicating that most residents in that township have access to care.

Funding Application Details

To address this pressing issue, SDG Counties is launching the “Great River, Great Future – Rural Healthcare Workforce Recruitment Initiative.” This initiative aims to create a comprehensive recruitment campaign to attract primary care practitioners to Eastern Ontario. The Counties has allocated $136,000 over a two-year period for this project. If the funding application is successful, SDG Counties could receive up to $68,000 to support the recruitment efforts.

In addition to the potential funding, various partners have committed resources to the initiative. These include the City of Cornwall, Carefor Health & Community Services, the municipality of Russell, and the Township of South Stormont, among others. Together, these entities are united in their goal to enhance the availability of primary healthcare in the area.

Addressing the Healthcare Gap

Data indicates that a minimum of 39 primary care providers is necessary to meet the current healthcare demands of the region. In light of recent developments concerning Bill 2 in Quebec, municipalities and local hospitals are optimistic that physicians considering leaving the province may consider relocating to SDG Counties.

This proactive approach marks a significant step towards ensuring that residents have reliable access to healthcare services. As the application for funding moves forward, the community remains hopeful for a positive outcome that could alleviate the growing healthcare crisis in the region.