A ‘significant number’ of patients in Hastings County were cleared from a healthcare connect waitlist over an eight month period ending in March, according to information from the Hastings Prince Edward Ontario Health Team.
An update on primary care investments entitled, What’s Been Done, What’s Underway and What’s Next, was presented to Hastings County Council last week.
The presentation stated that about 6,100 Hastings County residents have been cleared from the Health Care Connect wait list between Aug. 1 and March 31.
In an emailed response to questions, Renee MacKenzie, Communications Specialist with the HPE Health Team, said 6,100 were cleared but not necessarily connected. Reasons for clearance include residents finding a clinician on their own or moving away from the region.
“A significant number of patients in Hastings County were attached to primary care during this period owing to new family physicians joining the community. Others were connected with existing family physicians and nurse practitioners who have long served the region and were able to expand their rosters for a variety of reasons, including patient relocation or natural attrition.”
The presentation noted that as of March 31, about 4,100 Hastings County residents were on the Healthcare Connect wait list for referral to a family physician or nurse practitioner.
MacKenzie said through additional funding, they are continuing to invest in local primary care to expand existing teams and capacity.
“Recruitment of family physicians, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals remains a challenge across Ontario, including eastern Ontario. We continue to work closely with our Hastings Prince Edward Ontario Health Team partners to promote opportunities and to strengthen the ongoing efforts to attract and retain health care providers across the region.”
MacKenzie said as of 2026, the estimated number of residents in the region is 189,000, however, they also provide care to individuals who live outside of the region, and seasonal residents.
The Hastings Prince Edward Ontario Health Team is a collaboration of health and social service providers across Hastings County, Prince Edward County, and the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
There are 118 family physicians or nurse practitioners practicing across 45 different sites in the region. Clinicians work in a variety of primary care models, including community health centres, family health teams, Indigenous primary health care organizations, non-team based practices, and nurse practitioner-led clinics.
