Grey County and Owen Sound have combined to ask the provincial government with assistance attracting new physicians to the local region.
Representatives from Owen Sound and Grey County this week met with provincial officials to discuss the region’s health care needs during the 2025 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference.
Owen Sound Coun. Jon Farmer and Fire Chief Phil Eagleson joined Grey County Warden Andrea Matrosovs and County Councillors Kevin Eccles (West Grey) and Warren Dickert (Hanover) for a delegation with MPP Anthony Leardi, who is the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health.
The delegates stressed the need for regional collaboration to address the pressure points created by emergency room wait times and a shortage of family physicians.
Owen Sound requested provincial support for the creation of a new doctor-led nurse practitioner clinic. This alternative delivery model would help more families to connect with a family doctor and reduce pressure on our emergency rooms.
Grey County asked the Ministry of Health to commit to providing enhanced operating and capital funding to the Hanover and District Hospital in recognition of the additional demands placed on it due to the reduction in service at the Durham and Chesley sites of the South Bruce Grey Hospital Corporation.
The delegation also noted positive developments in region-wide collaboration for physician recruitment.
“Conference delegations are a great opportunity for municipalities to speak with provincial officials about important local issues. Timely access to healthcare is of critical importance to the wellbeing of Grey County residents and we‘re thankful for the opportunity to voice our concerns and advocate for solutions,” Matrosovs said in a statement after the meeting.
