The Group Health Centre has confirmed that two more physicians will retire in the coming months, resulting in approximately 3,500 additional patients being transferred from its regular roster to the Access Care Clinic.
GHC acknowledged that a pair of longstanding physicians are retiring in the coming months, but would not name them.
SooToday has confirmed that patients of family physician Dr. Daniel Fritz recently received notice that he will retire effective June 1.
"Patients have been notified of these upcoming retirements, as well as their ability to utilize the Access Care Clinic for episodic care," said GHC president and CEO Lil Silvano in an email.
The number of additional patients to be de-rostered as a result of the most recent retirements is about 3,500, the GHC confirmed.
A total of 45,000 patients are currently rostered with the GHC, while 7,500 formerly rostered patients are being served by the Access Care Clinic.
"We continue to work with our partners and funders to recruit new providers and ensure that all clinic patients are re-rostered to a primary care provider," said Silvano.
"As we welcome new primary care physicians and nurse practitioners, patients are randomly selected from the Access Care Clinic’s patient population for re-rostering."
Since May 2024, the GHC has experienced the departure of three primary care providers and welcomed three new providers to its team, not counting the two upcoming retirements.
Earlier this week, some members of city council expressed concern that the GHC pulled financial support for the city's physician recruitment efforts.
"GHC is no longer able to provide direct financial contributions moving forward. However, we remain committed to supporting recruitment efforts through in-kind contributions or as a non-voting member, like the arrangement with the Algoma West Academy of Medicine," said Silvano and Dr. Jodie Stewart, CEO of Algoma District Medical Group (ADMG), in a recent letter to the city's physician recruitment and retention committee.
In the email, Silvano said the GHC has shifted some of its priorities.
"Along with physician and nurse practitioner recruitment, we are prioritizing the retention and long-term sustainability of our existing care teams. Supporting our providers so they remain in our community is a top priority," she said.
Last year, GHC placed two of its properties for sale. A $1.5 million property on East Street owned by GHC is still listed for sale, while its building at 773 Great Northern Rd. that had an asking price of $4.2 million has been sold.
— with files from David Helwig