Primary care is the foundation of Ontario’s health care system. As 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 focus is to enable a primary care sector that is a strong foundation for the health system. 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
- Supporting Ontario Health Teams to facilitate the implementation of primary care networks to foster strong primary care engagement and leadership
This work has included:
- Strengthening oversight and performance support of interprofessional primary care teams
- Developing and implementing evidence-based frameworks for primary care planning and performance measurement
- Supporting the Ministry of Health in quality improvement approaches
- 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
- 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
Contact us
For more information about our work, please send us an email.
Also Visit
- Health811
- Ontario Health Teams (Government of Ontario)
- Primary Care Performance (Health Quality Ontario)