The Ontario government is moving ahead with new measures to strengthen the health-care system and protect residents ahead of respiratory illness season.
On Thursday, the province and the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) received an arbitration award covering the final three years of the 2024-28 Physician Services Agreement. The deal includes funding to modernize the Family Health Organization model to attract and retain more doctors, while also expanding access to primary care across the province.
Officials say the agreement will help connect more Ontarians to family physicians by incentivizing doctors to take on new patients, shift some procedures from emergency rooms to clinics and expand after-hours care. It also provides new supports for in-hospital anesthesia services, hospital on-call coverage and specialist care.
Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones said the changes are part of the government’s commitment to ensuring residents can access services when and where they need them. “As we head into respiratory illness season, our government is using every tool in our toolbox to protect our communities, families and our most vulnerable,” she said.
The government also announced details of its fall vaccination campaign, which will begin rolling out in phases starting next week. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available to high-risk and priority groups in late September, with RSV immunizations offered to eligible older adults, infants, children and pregnant women. Free flu and COVID-19 shots will be available to the general public starting Oct. 27 through pharmacies, public health units and participating health-care providers.
Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, emphasized the importance of staying up to date with seasonal immunizations. “Staying up-to-date on seasonal vaccines is significant to protect yourself, your family and loved ones and is a cornerstone of our preparedness this respiratory season,” he said.
Raymond Cho, minister of seniors and accessibility, noted that the vaccination programs are especially valuable for older Ontarians. “The vaccination programs offered through our government are helping seniors to stay active, healthy and socially connected in our communities,” he said. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, minister of long-term care, added that the programs will also help protect vulnerable residents and staff in long-term care homes.
The government says both the physician agreement and the immunization programs build on Ontario’s larger plan to expand access to primary care, boost medical education and create more pathways for residents to connect to services in their communities.
