Kawartha Lakes Haliburton OHT Reports Progress in Connecting Residents to Local Primary Care

The Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Ontario Health Team (KLH-OHT) today announced significant progress in strengthening access to primary care across the region. Working with Family Health Teams, Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics, Community Health Centres, and independent physician practices, the KLH-OHT is helping unattached residents connect with a primary care provider.

As part of this system-wide effort, the KLH-OHT is currently working through the Health Care Connect (HCC) waitlist to match patients with new or expanding primary care teams. Residents without a primary care provider are encouraged to register online at www.ontario.ca/healthcareconnect or call 1-800-445-1822.

Importantly, residents no longer need to “de-roster” from their existing provider (for example, if they are still rostered to a doctor or nurse practitioner in another community far away). Registering with HCC will not affect current care but will help the KLH-OHT identify who in the community is actively seeking a new provider closer to home. This updated process helps ensure that all residents who want to access care locally are counted and prioritized appropriately.

As of October 2025, the KLH-OHT is pleased to report that:

700 new patients are being attached at the Haliburton Highlands Family Health Organization

100+ new patients are being attached to Nurse Practitioners and/or Family Physicians practices in Bobcaygeon, Woodville and Lindsay

Various primary care providers across the KLH-OHT geography continue to expand capacity to welcome more patients as they build capacity across the system.

These efforts represent important progress toward building a stronger, more equitable primary care foundation—one that ensures every resident has access to comprehensive, team-based care close to home.

The KLH-OHT thanks all residents for their patience as this important work continues and encourages everyone seeking a local provider to register with Health Care Connect today.

“So much of health begins with primary care,” says Stephanie MacLaren, Executive Director of the KLH-OHT. “Working through this monumental task takes deep partnership and commitment. Our shared goal is to strengthen access because primary care is not only the front door to the health system; it is also a cornerstone of healthy communities. We are grateful for the Ontario government’s investment in primary care and the work of the Primary Care Action Team.”

For more information, visit https://www.klhoht.ca/ or follow our updates on social media.

—

About Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Ontario Health Team

Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Ontario Health Team (KLH-OHT) is a group of healthcare providers and organizations as well as patient, family and caregiver members working together toward a common goal of improving health outcomes. Our purpose is to have a relentless focus on supporting people to live their healthiest possible life.

We are working towards

·       Working with health service providers to better coordinate care offered in Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County

·       Improving access to the right provider at the right place at the right time

·       Making it easier for you to find information about local health services

·       Offering opportunities where you can provide feedback to the KLH-OHT and have a say in your healthcare