The Town of Huntsville says its physician recruitment program is working.
In a media release issued yesterday, the municipality announced that it had recruited two new physicians to practice in the community.
“This is very exciting news for the large number of residents who are living without a primary care professional in Huntsville,” said Town and District Councillor Bob Stone. “We have a goal of attracting ten physicians to our community and are proud to announce that eight of those ten positions have now been filled. We have been working very hard to attract physicians to our community, and this achievement means many residents will have access to the healthcare they need and deserve.”
The Town of Huntsville’s Physician Incentive Program offers $60,000 for taking over a family practice, $70,000 for taking over an existing practice and taking more than 200 Huntsville patients off the Algonquin Family Health Team waitlist, and $80,000 for those setting up a new family practice. Other incentives include memberships and services offered by the business community.
The money for the program is funded through the municipal portion of the Municipal Accommodation Tax.
The two additional physicians brings the total number of doctors recruited by the program to eight since it launched in the Spring of 2024.
“The Town is quickly reaching its goal of ten family physicians, with many more interested candidates in discussions,” notes the release.
The two new physicians means at a minimum 500 people currently on the waitlist will get a primary care provider.
Stone explained that the list is now being managed by Health Care Connect. The Algonquin Family Health Team (AFHT) is encouraging individuals to register on the Health Care Connect waitlist, including anyone who is already registered on the AFHT waitlist. Local doctors and Nurse Practitioners will use both waitlists to attach patients.
The Town also announced the recent creation of the Huntsville Healthcare Advisory Panel (HHAP), which will further efforts to ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need. Information about HHAP can be found at www.huntsville.ca.
“I want to extend a huge thank you to the entire community—our local businesses, organizations, groups, and residents—who have stepped up to support this physician recruitment plan,” said Huntsville Councillor Scott Morrison. “What started as an idea has turned into a program that has exceeded anything we could have imagined, with an incentive package that is now being talked about well beyond Huntsville. From major financial contributions to in‑kind donations like a one-year car lease, golf and ski memberships, retail and service discounts, and restaurant vouchers, our partners have helped create an offer that truly stands out and is bringing new doctors to our town.”
“Attracting physicians is a major collaborative effort, and we want to acknowledge the hard work of the Algonquin Family Health Team (AFHT), Lakeview Family Health Organization, and the Muskoka Almaguin Ontario Health Team (MAOHT) for the continued work they are doing to attract and retain physicians,” adds the Town’s release.
The Town of Huntsville is asking residents not to call AFHT or physician offices directly to inquire about the new physicians and/or waitlist status as they get settled in the community. A process is in place to manage the waitlist. Residents who are unattached patients (meaning they do not have a primary care provider) and are within the Huntsville catchment area (Huntsville, Port Sydney, Utterson) can register on the Health Care Connect Waitlist HERE.
To learn more about the physician incentive program visit www.huntsville.ca/DoctorsWanted.
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