Team-Based Care Expansion & SGFP Opportunities
Dear SGFP Members,
Yesterday, the government announced the first multi-year phase of increased investment in team-based primary care, aiming to connect 300,000 more Ontarians to primary care this year. While written details are emerging, SGFP participated in a verbal briefing from Dr. Philpott and her team on the process, and we are cautiously optimistic that family doctors have an opportunity to finally make meaningful progress in expanding team-based care to more family physicians and patients in Ontario. Dr. Philpott and her team are committed to working closely with us as opportunities are rolled out.
Unlike previous rounds, the government appears to recognize the need to form new teams rather than simply expanding existing ones. Unfortunately, timelines for the first of several rounds are tight, and there is little clarity on how this initiative will be made accessible to our members who urgently need support in their clinics and communities. Despite these challenges, there will be more phases, with additional opportunities expected as early as this fall. SGFP remains committed to helping family physicians prepare for these changes and ensuring they can fully benefit from the support provided.
If you would like the opportunity to participate in SGFP work we also have some exciting opportunities to get involved.
Your Voice Needed: Family Doctors to Join Our Operational Teams
We need your expertise at the table. As family doctors continue to face unprecedented challenges across Ontario, your involvement in shaping SGFP's work has never been more important.
What's New in 2025
In 2024, we streamlined our Executive from 20 to 7 members, making us nimble and investing the resources of the 13 roles into our operational teams, while maintaining strong representation for Ontario's family doctors. This reorganization has focused our efforts on three areas that directly impact your practice:
- Tariff Team: Working to ensure fair compensation that reflects the full scope of family medicine
- Policy & Advocacy Team: Amplifying family doctors' voices with decision-makers
- Digital Health Team: Tackling technology barriers that affect patient care and workflow
These teams of family doctors are vital in leading important initiatives impacting our profession and the healthcare landscape.
Current Opportunities for SGFP Members
- 3 Team Member positions on the Policy & Advocacy Team (two positions for 2-year terms; one position for 1-year term)
- 2 Team Member positions on the Tariff Team (2-year terms)
- 1 Family Physician Lead on the Policy & Advocacy Team (3-year term)
The Digital Health Team was recently established with no vacancies now. Opportunities to apply for positions on all teams will come about again next year at this time.
Serving on these teams offers a direct way for family doctors to influence change beyond the annual Executive election process. Your participation will help shape the future of family medicine and ensure practical, on-the-ground realities are represented in our advocacy work.
To Apply
Submit your application.
Application deadline: May 11. Shortlisted candidates will participate in a brief 15–20 minute interview.
I encourage all interested members to apply and be part of this journey. Your involvement matters, especially as we continue to push for meaningful action on compensation, administrative burden, and sustainable practice conditions for family doctors across Ontario.
Warm regards,
Dr. David Barber
Chair, SGFP
Other Resources
Resource Sharing: If you have information about a news item, policy, survey orevent you wish to share with SGFPmembers, please review the criteria and provide the following required information for us to include in this section of the newsletter.Please send this submission to: ChairLetterSGFP@outlook.com