News Release
September 9, 2025

Providence Care launches new program to connect patients to primary care before leaving hospital

[Kingston, ON] – Providence Care has launched a new program to connect hospital inpatients with a primary care provider before being discharged. The initiative addresses a critical need for individuals who lack access to primary care, helping to ensure smoother and safer transitions from hospital to home or other care settings.

“This initiative helps individuals who haven’t been able to access primary care through traditional routes, filling a critical gap while broader system improvements are underway,” says Allison Philpot, Vice President, System Innovation & Executive Director, Medical Affairs and Research. “With over 20,000 people in Kingston lacking primary care, the need is urgent. At Providence Care, we know recovery doesn’t end when a hospital stay does. Connecting patients to primary care before discharge will help support smoother transitions when possible.”

The program aims to reduce delays in discharge, improve follow-up care, and support long-term recovery, especially for patients with complex medical needs. Working within the Health Care Connect (HCC) registry and in collaboration with local primary care providers and the Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Ontario Health Team (FLA OHT), the initiative is already preventing unnecessary hospital readmissions, reducing care delays, and improving the overall patient experience.

“This whole process has just taken the stress off,” says 65-year-old stroke patient and program participant John Walsh. “You know, now I need prescriptions and follow-up care, and I just can’t imagine having nowhere to turn.

A designated social service worker supports eligible patients by:

• Registering them with Health Care Connect (HCC) if they are not already enrolled.
• Matching them to a local primary care clinic based on their home address.
• Preparing a discharge package that includes clinic contact information, follow-up instructions and any required documentation.

Patients experiencing homelessness are supported through a direct connection with Kingston Community Health Centre (KCHC).

Why primary care at discharge matters:

• Improves access to timely follow-up care and supports Ontario’s Home First
• Reduces emergency department visits for issues that can be managed in primary care.
• Lowers the risk of hospital readmission within 30-days by ensuring ongoing medical oversight.
• Facilitates smoother transitions to long-term care or retirement home settings.
• Improves discharge planning for staff and provides patients with a clear plan forward.

“We are putting patients at the centre of their care by making sure they have the support and follow-up they deserve,” says program co-designer and Quality Integration Specialist Jennifer Lapeer. “While the path to ongoing care isn’t always the same for everyone, we want patients leaving the hospital knowing their next step. This program will help provide that clarity.”

Current primary care partners include:

• Frontenac Doctors – Kingston
• Greenwood Medical Centre – Kingston
• Medical Tree – Kingston
• Princess Street Medical Centre – Kingston
• Kingston Community Health Centre (KCHC), including:
  • Greater Napanee Health Home – Thomas Street Clinic – Napanee
  • Midtown Kingston Health Home – Kingston
  • Kingston Community Health Centre – Weller Ave – Kingston
  • Street Health Centre

So far, 15 patients have been linked to primary care providers. The program is now available to inpatients at Providence Care Hospital and Providence Transitional Care Centre. The long-term goal is to expand access for clients in community-based programs who also face barriers to primary care.

Providence Care is dedicated to providing person-centred care that extends beyond hospital discharge. This program supports ongoing efforts by local and provincial partners to enhance access to primary care for all Ontarians. It is another way Providence Care helps people move forward with confidence, knowing they have the right support for their at-home recovery.

For more information contact:
Jonna Semple-Kloke
Communications Officer, Providence Care
skloke@providencecare.ca