"I am very proud of our health care system and how we are providing Ontarians greater access to health care than ever before. Ontarians have more quality health care choices, more information about these choices and confidence that their needs are the number one priority." Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-term care

There are now more ways than ever before for Ontarians to access the health care they need, closer to home.

In 2010, the province expanded access to health care services for Ontarians, including:

• Awarding 30 new Family Health Teams, bringing the total number of teams to 200.  These teams are providing care to over 2.6 million Ontarians and serving over 450,000 previously-unattached patients.

• Creating 14 new Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics (NPLCs), bringing the total number of clinics to 25, with these clinics expected to serve over 40,000 previously-unattached patients.

• Announcing 36 Diabetes Education Teams, which will improve diabetes care for about 36,000 Ontarians.

• Approving funding for 17 new drugs and increasing access to 37 others.

• Reducing generic drug prices for all Ontarians while continuing to increase annual funding to the drug system.

• Announcing eight new MRI machines.

Ontario is also improving the value of its health care system by focusing on evidence, quality and efficiency. These changes will further improve access and ultimately lead to better health care and outcomes for all Ontarians.

Providing families greater access to the health care services that matter to them, while improving quality and accountability for patients, is a key part of the government’s Open Ontario plan.