Close to 10,000 Peterborough Residents Connected to Primary Care as Local Waitlist Milestone Reached

By Scott Arnold

A coordinated effort across Peterborough City and County has cleared the provincial Health Care Connect waitlist for 9,473 local residents who had been waiting for primary care since before January 1st, 2025.

Peterborough Ontario Health Team (POHT), in partnership with local primary care professionals and health system partners, has reached an important milestone in improving access to primary care across Peterborough City and County (photo by scott arnold)

The milestone was announced Wednesday by the Peterborough Ontario Health Team, which worked with local family doctors, nurse practitioners, primary care organizations and other health care providers to connect residents with ongoing care.

The work involved the Peterborough Family Health Team, Peterborough Community Health Centre, Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, Victorian Order of Nurses Nurse Practitioner Clinic in Keene, community family doctors, nurse practitioners, interprofessional health care providers and Health Care Connect Care Connectors.

Some residents had been waiting more than four years for a family doctor or nurse practitioner.

“Connecting thousands of residents to primary care across Peterborough City and County is a monumental achievement for our region,” said Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith.

The local progress is part of Ontario’s broader Primary Care Action Plan, which aims to connect every resident in the province with a family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care team by 2029.

While the priority waitlist has now been cleared, the need for primary care has not disappeared.

Peterborough City and County residents who still do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner are encouraged to continue registering with Health Care Connect. Registration is available online through the provincial program or by calling 8-1-1.

Locally, residents without a family doctor or nurse practitioner can also access the Peterborough Family Health Team’s Connect Clinic. Intake appointments can be booked online or by calling 705-651-4866.

The Peterborough Ontario Health Team says the milestone represents a significant step toward making ongoing primary care more accessible closer to home.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Health Care For All As Peterborough Community Health Centre Has Its Grand Opening In Peterborough Square

The Peterborough Community Health Centre (PCHC) has opened its doors with a community-wide grand opening celebration in Peterborough Square on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The ceremony featured a ribbon-cutting, an opening ceremony and hand drumming. Visitors got to tour the newly renovated space, meet staff and learn about upcoming services and programs.

“We are so excited to open our doors and welcome the community in,” says Ashley Safar, Executive Director of the Peterborough CHC. “This space reflects our vision—a place where everyone feels safe, respected, and supported on their wellness journey. We’re creating something truly special: a community health centre that weaves together Indigenous knowledge and Western medicine to support holistic wellbeing for all.”

@ptbo_canada The Peterborough Community Health Centre has opened its doors with a community-wide grand opening celebration in Peterborough Square. #ptbocanada #journalism #news #fyp #health ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

The PCHC offers a wide range of services including primary care, traditional healing, community programming and advocacy supports. Safar says services are designed to meet people where they are—especially those who face barriers to care.

“Health care should be a doorway, not a barrier,” she said. “This centre was created with reconciliation at its heart. By blending Traditional healing with Western healthcare, we aim to improve not just individual health—but the health of our entire community.”

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Peterborough Community Health Centre Appoints Inaugural Executive Director

The Peterborough Community Health Centre (PCHC) has appointed Ashley Safar as its inaugural Executive Director.

Ashley is of mixed ancestry, Haudenosaunee from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory on her mother’s side and first-generation Canadian of Hungarian descent on her father’s side. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Community Health Centre.

According to a press release, Safar will work closely with the PCHC staff, board, and community partners to shape and expand the Centre’s programs and services and ensure they meet the community's diverse needs.

Safar joined the PCHC from the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, where she served as Executive Director.

“After an extensive, province-wide search, the Board is thrilled to welcome Ashley as our inaugural Executive Director,” said Jonathan Bennett, Co-Chair of the PCHC Board of Directors. “Her vision and leadership will guide the PCHC through this exciting new chapter. With our renovations at Peterborough Square and health human resources recruitment well underway, Ashley’s experience and commitment to inclusivity will ensure that PCHC becomes a hub for equitable, comprehensive care.”

Safar will officially begin her role on Jan. 6.

“I am honoured to be appointed as the inaugural Executive Director of the Peterborough Community Health Centre and excited to begin this important work,” said Safar. “Community Health Centres play a vital role in addressing the unique needs of our most vulnerable members, providing not just care but also connection and support. I look forward to collaborating with the community to ensure that everyone has access to the resources and services they need to thrive. Together, we can build a healthier and more inclusive future for all.”

Since March, the Centre has been led by interim co-executive directors David Jeffery and Christine Brander.

“We are deeply thankful for David and Christine’s tireless commitment and leadership,” said Bennett. “Their experience has been instrumental in launching our new CHC from the ground up, and we have benefited from their dedication at every stage of this journey.”

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