The Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team announces collective funding from partners for physician recruitment efforts in the Dufferin/Caledon community.
ORANGEVILLE, ON (February 8, 2024) – Dufferin County, the Town of Caledon and Headwaters Health Care Centre have committed a combined $150,000 to support local physician recruitment efforts in Dufferin and Caledon for one year. Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team (HOHC OHT) has worked with its Physician Recruitment and Retention Task Force partners to develop a recruitment strategy, including the hiring of a physician recruiter.
As of March 2022, there are 15,213 people in Dufferin/Caledon without a family physician. With the population of the area projected to grow 37% by 2031, Dufferin/Caledon would require 43 additional family physicians by 2031 to keep up with population growth – 14 for Dufferin County and 29 for Caledon. To address physician shortages, HOHC OHT’s Physician Recruitment and Retention Task Force, which includes local government representatives, family physicians, health providers and community members, has developed a high-level strategy to attract, recruit and retain family physicians and specialists to the area.
“The Dufferin/Caledon community is in a unique situation when looking at the projected increase in population and the shortage of physicians we currently face,” said Tracy Coffin, HOHC OHT Executive Director. “This collaboration between key community partners to address the physician shortage in our community is something we are very proud to be a part of. Through the Physician Recruitment and Retention Task Force, we know we will be able to make a real impact in Dufferin County and Caledon,” added Coffin.
“Dufferin County’s vision under our 2023 to 2026 Strategic Plan is to be a community that grows together, with a key goal being to explore opportunities to improve access to healthcare services. The County is proud to partner with the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team, Headwaters Health Care Centre and the Town of Caledon for physician recruitment efforts. Quality, local and accessible health care will allow us to create a community where everyone can thrive,” said Darren White, Warden, Dufferin County.
The Physician Recruitment and Retention Task Force will be involved in the hiring of a physician recruiter. The position will include an estimated start date of April 2024.
“Access to local physicians is critical for the health of Caledon and furthers our Town’s Strategic Plan vision for community vitality and livability. It is wonderful that as a team we have advanced to implementation including the hiring of a physician recruiter. Working together as part of the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team will lead to further milestones. I look forward to
further successes to help meet the needs our growing communities,” said Annette Groves, Mayor, Town of Caledon.
“Collaboration between the hospital and our communities is vital for attracting and retaining family physicians and specialists. The well-being of residents is a shared responsibility, and our region has so much to offer physicians and their families,” said Kim Delahunt, President and CEO, Headwaters Health Care Centre.
For more information on the work being done by HOHC OHT, visit hillsofheadwaterscollaborative.ca
FACT SHEET
- The population of both Dufferin and Caledon has been steadily increasing over the last 15 years and is expected to grow another 37% by 2031.
- There are currently 15,213 patients without a family physician in Dufferin-Caledon as of March 2022.
- There are currently 78 family physicians practicing in Dufferin County and Caledon.
- At a minimum, twelve family physicians are required to meet Ontario and World Health Organization recommendations (Ontario – one family physician for every 1,250 patients; World Health Organization recommends 1 family physician for every 1,000 patients).
- Between now and 2031, the population is projected to continue to increase. Caledon is projected to have an additional 35,500 people and Dufferin is projected to have an additional 17,000 people.
- Based on population growth only, Dufferin County and Caledon will require 43 more family physicians by 2031 – 14 for Dufferin County and 29 for Caledon.
