City announces integration of 8 new doctors, bringing the total number of doctors recruited to 17 in two years

The City of Kingston is pleased to announce the appointment of eight new physicians in the city, bringing the total number of new practicing primary care physicians to 17. As a result of this work, Kingston is one of very few communities in Ontario experiencing a decrease in the Healthcare Connect waitlist, a trend that will continue with the launch of Health Homes in Central and East Kingston as well as the opening of the Periwinkle Clinic in West Kingston later this year.

“By partnering with local physicians and Queen’s Faculty of Medicine, Kingston has successfully integrated 17 new family doctors into our community in just two years!" says Craig Desjardins, Director of Strategy, Innovation and Partnerships. "Some are taking over for retiring physicians and others are rostering new patients. This brings the total number of residents cared for by recruited doctors to 15,300.” 
 

Financial investments and collaboration aiding in expansion of primary care 

The City of Kingston’s Physician Recruitment Program launched in 2022. It includes a $100,000 incentive to eligible family doctors, as well as relocation and career support for incoming physicians and their families. The program has established connections between prospective doctors and physicians currently practicing in the City to ease the transition and showcase Kingston as an ideal location to practice family medicine. 

In January 2024, City Council committed additional funds to the program, which permitted the launch of the Primary Care Clinic Expansion Grant. The grant is entirely municipally funded and will provide up to $100,000 for 6 clinics to broaden their services. Recipients of the grant will be announced in the coming weeks. 

“Kingston has invested $3 million in its physician recruitment project, understanding that primary care is vital to community wellbeing and economic development,” says Mayor Bryan Paterson. “By collaborating with local and regional partners, we’ve set a new standard in primary care delivery and recently launched an innovative grant program for primary care clinics that’s the first of its kind in Ontario." 
 

Health Home to provide additional primary care 

The Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Ontario Health recently announced the establishment of two Health Homes in Central and East Kingston. 

This new care model is being piloted in our region and will roster unattached patients within the specified geographic areas with a team of health-care professionals. The City is committed to supporting the launch with additional funds and resources. 

Residents seeking a family doctor are encouraged to register for Health Care Connect. Health Care Connect is a provincially administered government agency that helps track primary care provider capacity and helps connect people to a primary care provider. By voluntarily signing up online or by phone, residents will be added to their local waitlist for a primary care provider. A Care Connector will be assigned to help find a primary care provider based on each person’s situation. 
 

More information about Health Care Connect and the rostering process can be found on the Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Ontario Health Team’s website.