Primary Care Access and Attachment: From frustration to peace of mind
When people can’t access regular primary care, even minor health concerns can become more difficult to manage. In Ontario, approximately 2 million people are without a family doctor, and the need for timely, accessible care continues to grow. For longtime Stouffville resident, Cathy, access to care has been challenging, despite being rostered with a primary care provider.
“We couldn't really see our family doctor. If you were able to get an appointment, you'd have to wait a week or even a month,” she recalls. “We either had to go into a walk-in clinic and wait for hours or find another solution.”
Community Health Clinic (CHC) Stouffville has changed that experience for Cathy and her family. Through an easy online booking portal, patients can access same-day and next-day appointments that works around their schedule.
“This clinic has given me the opportunity to see someone immediately and to get my issues addressed. The team is so down to earth and approachable,” Cathy says, now a registered patient of CHC Stouffville. “From the moment I came into the clinic, I knew that I was in good hands.”
Accessible and connected care
Through funding under the Ministry of Health’s Primary Care Action Plan, EYRND OHT worked with primary care partners across the community to connect 3,190 people who were on the Health Care Connect waitlist as of January 2025. This work included expanding CHC Stouffville and CHC Uxbridge beyond their initial episodic care mandate to provide ongoing primary care attachment. By the end of March 2026, the two CHCs had formally attached more than 500 people to primary care. Furthermore, CHC Stouffville expanded to a larger location and increased specialized services this year to meet growing community demand.
“All of my kids have used the CHC at different times,” Cathy adds. “Mainly, they come in for infections or allergies, and they're seen and treated right away. There's no waiting. There's no see the doctor in two weeks. You get seen immediately, which is amazing.”
For Cathy, the accessibility means more than convenience. It provides reassurance that her family has somewhere to turn to when health concerns arise.
The CHC model also offers patients access to a broader team of health professionals who work together to support their overall health and wellbeing.
“Being part of a Community Health Clinic transforms how patients experience health care, shifting from simply treating illnesses when they pop up to building a lasting, proactive partnership for lifelong wellness,” explains Ryan Saunders, Nurse Practitioner at CHC Stouffville. “With wraparound care, patients enjoy the convenience of having an entire integrated team right under one roof, featuring nurse practitioners, physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, and mental health counsellors who work together to support your physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.”
This team-based approach supports more proactive care, including regular check-ins, preventive screenings, and personalized lifestyle management to catch and manage chronic conditions early on.
“Family navigation recognizes that health isn't just about one person,” Ryan adds. “The CHC supports your entire family by helping you navigate home care resources, financial aid applications, and planning long term supports.”
Peace of mind for families
The impact of timely, accessible health care extends far beyond addressing an immediate health concern. For families, knowing there is a trusted care team available can also reduce the stress and uncertainty that often come with navigating the health care system.
“We never have to worry about anyone having to wait a long time if they are sick. We're generally seen within the same day or the next day,” Cathy says. “And to take that weight off as a mother is quite incredible. I have utmost confidence in everyone's ability there to look after them.”
Ryan sees three important benefits when patients and families have an ongoing relationship with a dedicated care team: greater confidence, stronger follow-through, and less caregiver burden.
With consistent support, patients can better understand their health and feel more confident advocating for themselves. Care plans can be developed collaboratively and in ways that fit a family’s circumstances, making it easier to follow through with treatment and healthy lifestyle changes. And by helping coordinate care and connect families with the right services, the care team can reduce the burden of navigating the health system alone.
For Cathy, the result is simple — greater confidence in knowing her family has somewhere to turn.
“I truly believe that the people in the town of Stouffville have been given a gift with this clinic,” Cathy says. “Come and see what it's about because you will experience care, kindness, and compassion here that you will not find anywhere else.”
For patients like Cathy, having an accessible and committed primary care team can transform health care from a series of disconnected visits to an ongoing partnership. It is about having someone to turn to when you are sick, but also having a team that knows your family, supports your health, and helps you stay well. The CHC embodies the Neighbourhood Health Home model—demonstrating how a connected, team-based approach to primary care can make a meaningful difference in a patient’s health and experience of care.
This year we took an important step forward in strengthening primary care across our communities. Through the Primary Care Action Plan, the OHT and our primary care partners worked closer together to shape a more connected, people-centred approach to care. These collaborations are helping lay the foundation for stronger system-level partnerships and more integrated care for people and families.
Accessing primary care in our communities
We support several options for people seeking primary care, including CHC Stouffville, CHC Uxbridge, and the Virtual Urgent Care Clinic (VUCC). To find a list of our partner clinics currently accepting patients, visit eyrnd.ca/care.