Trent University Receives $1.1 Million Investment From Ontario Government to Expand Local Primary Care Workforce

Trent University has received a $1,132,500 investment from the Ontario Government to expand the local primary care healthcare workforce, announced at Bata Library on Friday morning.

(From left to right) Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC president and CEO; Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent Universit president and vice-chancellor. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This funding will upskill 350 registered nurses through a specialized program at the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing. This is part of the government’s $2.1 billion Primary Care Action Plan to connect everyone in Ontario to primary care by 2029.

To support the recruitment and retention of nurses in primary care, Ontario is providing Trent University with $1,132,500 over three years for a new, innovative program.

This 12-week upskilling initiative will help nurses gain skills, including:

• Chronic disease management

• Maternal and child care

• Immunizations and cancer screening

• Rural and Indigenous health specializations

Launching this year, the program at Trent is designed to equip registered nurses with the expertise needed to work immediately in primary care settings, freeing up time for family doctors to focus on patients with more complex needs, according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“This investment in Trent University is a major win for the health and well-being of families here in Peterborough-Kawartha,” he said. “The Ministry of Health’s recognition of the high quality of education provided by Trent University is an endorsement of small urban, rural institutions and the value they provide to the health care system. The upskilling of 350 registered nurses at the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing gives our local health-care heroes the advanced tools they need to provide top-tier primary care right here in our community. Trent’s partnership with PRHC and other local rural hospitals demonstrates that the Ministry of Health recognizes the value of rural Ontario.”

The funding for Trent University is scheduled to scale over the next three years to meet growing demand:

“This upskilling program reflects Trent’s long-standing commitment to community-focused health education and addressing system-level challenges,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent University president and vice-chancellor. “By creating accessible advanced primary care education for registered nurses, we are helping strengthen care teams and improve access to healthcare services for people and communities across Ontario.”

“Investments into rural healthcare are incredibly important,” says Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC president and CEO. “Communities like ours, with urban and rural populations spread across broad geographies, have unique needs and challenges when it comes to accessing care. PRHC looks forward to continuing to work with Trent and our other post-secondary partners to ensure learners are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their healthcare careers, and to provide patients with the best possible care and support, today and into the future.”

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