Davenport-Perth Community Health Centre Surpasses Patient Target Under Ontario’s Primary Care Action Plan
TORONTO — The Ontario government says it is making progress toward its goal of ensuring every resident has access to a family doctor or primary care team by 2029, with new investments supporting expanded community-based care across the province.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones visited the Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre in Toronto’s west end to highlight the province’s ongoing investment through Ontario’s $3.4 billion Primary Care Action Plan. The health centre is among nearly 200 primary care teams receiving provincial funding aimed at improving access to family physicians and interdisciplinary care.
The Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre received $1,949,800 through the 2025–26 funding round under the Primary Care Action Plan. Since beginning patient enrolment in August 2025, the clinic has connected more than 5,314 patients to primary care, exceeding its original goal of 4,600 patients.
“As we work to connect everyone to primary care by 2029, our government is protecting Ontario’s health-care system by investing in new and expanded primary care teams in Ontario communities, including Toronto, that will keep families healthier while relieving pressures on emergency departments,” said Minister Jones. “We encourage those looking for a new primary care clinician to sign up for Health Care Connect, the fastest and most seamless way to get connected to a family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care team.”
Province Targets Universal Primary Care Access by 2029
Ontario estimates that nearly 90 per cent of residents already have access to a primary care provider, placing the province among the national leaders in primary care coverage. However, the government has committed to closing the remaining gap by connecting every Ontarian to a family doctor or primary care team over the next three years.
Residents seeking a primary care provider can register through the province’s Health Care Connect program, which matches patients with family physicians, nurse practitioners or interdisciplinary care teams where available.
The government appointed Dr. Jane Philpott to chair the Primary Care Action Team in October 2024, assigning the team responsibility for developing and implementing strategies to achieve universal primary care access. That work led to the launch of the Primary Care Action Plan in January 2025.
Supported by an investment exceeding $3.4 billion, the initiative is expected to connect approximately two million additional people to primary care by 2029.
Nearly 200 Primary Care Teams Receive Funding
Ontario has completed two rounds of funding under the Primary Care Action Plan, resulting in 199 successful applicants for new or expanded interprofessional primary care teams. Together, these teams are expected to provide primary care access to approximately 800,000 more people across the province.
The latest funding round includes 124 successful applicants, who are expected to connect another 500,000 patients, including individuals currently waiting through the Health Care Connect system.
Primary care teams typically bring together physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, practical nurses, physiotherapists, dietitians, social workers and other health professionals in one location. The model is designed to improve early diagnosis, chronic disease management and coordinated care while reducing unnecessary emergency department visits.
The province is also advancing a new provincewide Primary Care Medical Record system intended to integrate patient records, reduce administrative workloads for clinicians and improve care coordination.
Community Health Centre Highlights Local Impact
Officials at the Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre said the provincial funding has allowed the organization to expand services while strengthening partnerships with other community health providers.
“We are proud to continue serving our community and fully support the provincial commitment to primary care attachment. Team-based primary care is essential to a strong health-care system, and this investment has enabled us to expand access to community-based primary care services while strengthening integration across our programs and our community partners.”
– Tammy Décarie
Executive Director, Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre
The centre also noted that the investment has improved access for patients receiving care through smaller medical practices.
“It has been truly impactful to see more people connect to coordinated, person-centred care within their communities. This investment in health care has allowed us to support small practices and solo practitioners who would not otherwise have access to allied health services such as nutrition counselling, case management and mental health support. We are encouraged by the positive impact we are seeing and remain committed to ensuring that everyone has access to the integrated care and supports they need to thrive.”
– Tameika Shaw
Director of Population Health and Evaluation, Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre
Health Workforce Expansion Continues
The Primary Care Action Plan forms part of Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the province’s broader strategy to expand Ontario’s health-care workforce and improve access to services closer to home.
According to the province, Ontario has added more than 20,000 physicians since 2018, including a more than 14 per cent increase in family doctors. The government also continues to recruit internationally trained health professionals, reporting that more than 2,300 nurses and over 570 physicians licensed in the United States chose to practise in Ontario during 2025.
Provincial officials say these workforce investments, combined with expanded interdisciplinary care teams, are intended to strengthen the health-care system while ensuring more Ontarians receive timely access to primary care in their local communities.