Two more physicians have signed the five-year physician commitment for practicing in Huntsville. This brings the total number of physicians recruited to eight since launching the attraction program in Spring 2024. The Town is quickly reaching its goal of ten family physicians with many more interested candidates in discussions.
“This is very exciting news for the large number of residents who are living without a primary care professional in Huntsville,” says Town and District Councillor Bob Stone in a news release. “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.”
As part of the recruitment, two physicians are opening new practices, which means a minimum of 500 people currently on the Algonquin Family Heath Team (AFHT) or Health Care Connect waiting lists will be moved off the wait list and assigned a doctor. It is important to note that 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 recently approved the creation of the Huntsville Healthcare Advisory Panel (HHAP), which will further the efforts to work towards ensuring 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,” says 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.”
The attraction incentives in exchange for 5 years of service includes:
- $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 AFHT waitlist; and/or $80,000 for those setting up a new family practice.
- A 1 year family pass to Muskoka Heritage Place and Pioneer Village.
- Family skate/swim 1 year membership at Canada Summit Centre
- Eligibility to apply for the NRRI Provincial Grant of $107,166
- In addition to the Town’s financial contribution, the Huntsville community has come together through businesses, organizations, groups and residents to offer additional incentives to attract physicians including financial contributions, in-kind support and donations. This includes things like a 1-year car lease, golf and ski club memberships, retail and service discounts, and restaurant vouchers to name a few. A full list of incentives will be shared during agreement discussions.
The news release from the Town of Huntsville states, “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 attract and retain physicians.”
The town is advising resident to 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 Health Care Connect Waitlist at www.MAOHT.ca.
To learn more about the physician incentive program visit www.huntsville.ca/DoctorsWanted
