A recent post on social media about a Simcoe doctor shutting down his practice by year’s end sparked numerous reactions from patients worried about finding a new provider.
Nov 09, 2025 • Last updated Nov 10, 2025 •
New Primary Care Access Clinics have opened in Simcoe and Paris for residents who don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner. The clinics are modeled after a successful approach already running in Brantford. This initiative is a joint effort between the Primacare Community Health Team (with executive director Tina Gabriel on the left), the Norfolk Family Health Team (led by executive director Roxanne Pierssens-Silva in the center); and the Grand River Community Health Centre (represented by executive director Lynda Kohler on the right). SUBMITTED
A recent post on social media about a Simcoe doctor shutting down his practice by year’s end sparked numerous reactions from patients worried about finding a new provider.
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This situation highlighted the ongoing shortage of family doctors in the area.
Approximately 20,000 individuals, or just over eight percent of the Brantford-Brant-Norfolk population, currently lack access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
The retirement of that local physician means around 2,000 patients will soon find themselves without primary care, according to Roxanne Pierssens-Silva, executive director of the Norfolk Family Health Team.
On top of this concerning statistic is the fact that nearly 60 percent of local family doctors will hit retirement age within the next five to ten years, which makes matters even more urgent.
To tackle this issue and enhance healthcare availability, two new primary access clinics are now operational in Paris and Simcoe for residents without a family doctor or nurse practitioner. These clinics build upon an effective model already functioning in Brantford via the Grand River Community Health Centre.
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The new BBN Primary Care Access Clinic is part of a collaborative effort involving the Grand River Community Health Centre, Norfolk Family Health Team, and Prima Care Family Health Team.
A nurse practitioner will share her time between Paris and Simcoe, spending two days per week at each site – located at 25 Curtis Ave. North in Paris and at 185 Robinson St. in Simcoe. There will also be afternoon/evening hours available on Wednesdays every other week.
“This isn’t a walk-in clinic,” said Tina Gabriel, executive director of the Paris-based Prima Care team. “It’s about connecting people to care that will be followed up.”
Lynda Kohler, executive director of Grand River Community Health Centre, mentioned that this clinic is intended as temporary support with aims to eventually transition patients onto a local doctor’s permanent list.
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“It gives people an alternative while waiting for (permanent) primary care,” said Kohler.
The clinic ensures patients who do eventually connect with a family doctor “are coming in with up-to-date information,” not “as someone who hasn’t had primary care for ten years,” explained Pierssens-Silva.
Appointments need to be pre-booked for non-emergency health issues like minor injuries and illnesses, bloodwork requests, sexual health services, cancer screenings, prenatal care vaccinations; prescription renewals (excluding narcotics), specialist referrals; and chronic disease management.
Aaron Gautreau from Norfolk General Hospital noted that there’s been widespread recognition across Canada regarding family doctor shortages.
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“That’s why recruitment is one of our highest priorities,” he stated. “We continue working hard to attract more doctors to Norfolk.”
At late-2024 meeting where he was seeking $100K from county council for recruitment efforts planned for next year; Norfolk General CEO Todd Stepanuik mentioned there were approximately seventeen thousand primary-care physicians practicing across Ontario-only thirty-four serving within Norfolk’s borders.”
He stressed how physician shortages exacerbate pressures on emergency departments at NGH.”
As per recent statistics shared by Ontario College of Family Physicians; roughly two-point-five million Ontarians are lacking regular doctors.”
The Ford government pledged steps toward resolving this crisis by ensuring all Ontarians can connect with their own physicians before twenty-twenty-nine through measures including revised funding models aimed toward medical practitioners alongside increased school spots plus team-based initiatives.”
Over these past couple years; several fresh physicians have joined forces alongside existing staff members at Norfork General-bringing aboard obstetrician gynecologists as well as ER specialists along with anesthetists surgeons still having one single-family MD now among total counted exceeding hundred forty-five active practices here! So far; utmost priority remains focused towards securing talents specialized regarding anesthesia internal medicine obstetrics/gynecology lastly emergency services due importance enhancing overall community welfare!”“We actively encourage interest shown towards diverse medical learners out looking into rural practices!” said Gautreau’s closing remarks finalizing earlier statements made during talks held.”Earlier discussions held indicated confirmed investments amounting upwards reaching two hundred fifty thousand dollars allocated specifically targeted toward recruiting additional workforce labor needed ongoing throughout region.” More generally speaking municipality continues collaborating closely partnering up allied healthcare entities encouraging countless numbers qualified professionals flock hence promoting healthy outreach programs benefiting whole area surrounding thus providing locals accessible alternatives necessary promote wellness evenly distributed amongst populace entire living surrounding areas having benefitted significantly achieved thanks collaborative efforts undertaken collectively worked.”
// Here again discussing current plans moving forward mention appointment system accessible online designed help users navigate easier finding suitable timings available efficiently!For bookings please visit bbnoht. ca directly
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