Improving Access to Health Care for Aboriginal Families in Kenora and Fort Frances

New Ontario Government Investing in Aboriginal Health Access Centres

April 16, 2013 – Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs

Ontario is improving access to health care for families in northwestern Ontario by enhancing the Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’lyewigamig Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Kenora and the Gizhewaadiziwin Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Fort Frances.

New investments will help the centres retain and recruit primary-care physicians, recruit up to two additional nurse practitioners and offer more primary and traditional care programs and services. Both centres will also be renovated and the Fort Frances centre will also be expanded.

Aboriginal Health Access Centres focus on helping at-risk populations and those coping with mental health and addictions stay healthy. These centres provide traditional health and wellness services and contemporary primary health care services to Aboriginal patients.

Ensuring access to the right care, at the right time and in the right place supports Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care, and is part of the new Ontario government’s efforts to build a strong economy and a fair society.

Quick Facts

There are 10 Aboriginal Health Access Centres throughout Ontario providing quality care to on-and off-reserve, Status, non-Status, First Nation, Inuit and Métis Aboriginal communities.

Quotes

Aboriginal Health Access Centres play a vital role in helping Ontario’s Aboriginal community get the care they need, close to home. This additional support for the Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’lyewigamig Aboriginal Health Access Centre and the Gizhewaadiziwin Aboriginal Health Access Centre will ensure improved access to high-quality health care and other services for local residents.”

Deb Matthews
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

Our government is committed to building a vibrant province with opportunities for everyone — and health care is the basic building block of a fair society. We’re pleased to be supporting these two northern Aboriginal communities’ health centres, which provide services tailored to the unique needs of the populations they serve.”

David Zimmer
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs

Learn More