Dear Patient,

For many years, your primary care needs have been met by your primary care physician and the nurse practitioners (NP) of the ByWard Family Health Team (FHT). You have been able to book appointments with any of the NPs as part of our focused effort to prioritize quick access to care. We have recognized, however, that this approach often sacrifices continuity of care, and patient and provider satisfaction.

We would therefore like to introduce the creation of Primary Care Teams. Each primary care physician/provider will be part of a team that includes one (or two) NPs. You will be able to book appointments with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) as well as with the FHT NP who is on the same team. Each team will be supported by designated nurses, clinical assistants and receptionist team leads. The smaller teams mean that it will be easier for you to get to know the healthcare professionals who care for you, and they will have a better chance to get to know you and your healthcare needs.

Starting December 2021, your primary care appointments will be booked according to the teams. If you already have an appointment scheduled prior to that with an NP who is not in your Primary Care Team, we won’t change that appointment. Going forward you will be directed to your primary care provider or NP for follow-up of any issues.

In addition to this we’re working on making it faster and easier for you to book appointments via online booking. Part of setting this up is reviewing and revising the guidelines we use for appointment bookings. While the pandemic has created challenges, it has also created some opportunities to meet your needs better. More information will be sent to you in the near future.

We are grateful for your patience as we go through a transition phase.

ByWard Family Health Team