Huntsville Physician Incentive Program proving successful

From the Town of Huntsville

With the urgent need for family physicians in Huntsville, Town Council supported the development of a Physician Incentive Program on May 27, 2024. Since launching the program in June 2024, the program has resulted in the following:

• Two (2) physicians have signed the agreement (one is establishing a new practice and one is taking over an existing practice)
• One (1) physician is in the process of signing (and will establish a new practice)
• Three (3) more physicians are anticipated to sign for summer 2025 (all three would take over existing practices); however, this number is tentative as negotiations occur and they may choose to take additional patients off the waitlist with today’s incentive update.

To better assist attraction efforts and take unattached patients off the waitlist, at the October 30 meeting, General Committee approved a recommendation that will allow staff to offer $70,000 [instead of $60,000]for physicians who take over an existing practice and take more than 200 Huntsville patients off the Algonquin Family Health Team (AFHT) waitlist.

“We are encouraged by the positive response to the Town’s Physician Incentive Program. It’s so great to see these results in such a short time frame—two doctors already signed and several more are pending. It’s exciting to know that patients who have been waiting so very long for primary care are finally being taken off the wait list,” said Councillor Bob Stone.

As part of the incentive agreement, all physicians will commit to a 5-year term of service. Attraction efforts will continue as the program is promoted and the remaining spots within the physician incentive program are filled.

The Town is incredibly thrilled to welcome these new physicians and commends the dedicated efforts of our physician recruitment team and the hard work of physician lead, Dr. Mar. We are also thankful for the guidance of community-based family physicians, including: Dr. Mathies, Dr. Dufour Lamontagne, Dr. Bozek, Dr. Fennell, and Dr. Fiorotto and the AFHT Executive Director, Janine van den Heuvel. This ‘Thank You’ also extends to those involved in the attraction process, including the entire AFHT administrative team and the Muskoka and Area Ontario Health Team (MAOHT).

Important to Note for Residents: This announcement is very exciting news; however, please DO NOT call/contact the AFHT or physician offices directly to inquire about the new physicians and/or waitlist status as they get settled in the community. There is a process in place for managing the waitlist. Residents that are an unattached patient (meaning they do not have a primary care provider) and are within the Huntsville catchment area (Huntsville, Port Sydney, Utterson) can register on the Huntsville Primary Care Practitioner Waitlist at algonquinfht.ca/need-a-doctor. Please only register once as multiple entries are not accepted.

Community Supported Incentives

In addition to the Town’s financial contribution, the Huntsville community has come together through businesses, organizations, groups, and individual residents to offer additional incentives including financial contributions, in-kind support and donations. This includes incentives such as a 1-year car lease, sport club memberships, retail and service discounts, and restaurant vouchers to name a few. The full list of incentives is shared directly with interested physicians.

“It is our hope that these new physicians enjoy their experience of Huntsville so much in the next five years that they continue to work and live in our community,” said Councillor Scott Morrison. “I have to say a huge thank you to those in our community who have supported our Physician Recruitment efforts, including our local family physicians at AFHT, led by Dr. Melanie Mar, as well as the businesses, organizations, and individuals who have so generously contributed to our incentive package.”

To learn more about the Physician Incentive program and help spread the word with your family and friends, please visit Huntsville.ca/DoctorsWanted.

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