Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare.

The Barrie and Community Family Health Team remains committed to delivering high-quality primary healthcare to residents of Barrie and surrounding communities. As the foundation of the healthcare system, primary care plays a vital role in supporting the overall health and well-being of our population. Through ongoing collaboration with the Barrie Family Health Organization and other valued community partners, including the Barrie Area Ontario Health Team, we continue to work together to advance health system transformation and enhance health care for those we serve.

At the core of our organization is a dedicated team of health care professionals who consistently go above and beyond to provide exceptional patient care. This annual report highlights the wide range of programs and services accessed by patients over the past year, demonstrating our continued commitment to supporting the health and wellness of our community.

Kimberly Vickers,
Executive Director

Dr. Jaco Scheeres,
Medical Director
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Strategic Plan

Our Vision

Together we will ensure the continued delivery of high quality care.

Our Mission

Thriving Workforce

Foster a thriving work environment that boosts retention, attracts talent, and ensures excellent care for all patients.

Collaborative Care Network

Use team-driven innovation to streamline operations, boost efficiency, improve care delivery, and better serve all patients.

Collective Action

Strengthen partnerships, share knowledge, increase resource access, and amplify our collective voice to drive meaningful healthcare change.

See full strategic plan
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Telemedicine

The Family Health Team (FHT) Telemedicine Program enhances access to specialists for FHT and non-FHT patients and plays a vital role in supporting clinicians in delivering patient care.

FHT RN Telemedicine Coordinators provide onsite patient assessments, assist with eConsult services and support the triaging of mental health referrals. Using the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) eConsult program, providers have access to over 1,800 specialists across more than 140 specialities, with an average turnaround time of three days for consults. The Telemedicine Movement Disorder Clinic continues to flourish, receiving positive feedback from patients and providers. Neurological diagnoses are typically delivered within one month of referral, significantly faster than the provincial average wait time of 18 months for an in-person appointment.

The addition of a dermascope to our Telederm Program has enhanced the quality of images provided to consulting dermatologists, supporting more accurate diagnosis of skin conditions, leading to improved treatment outcomes.

A new addition to the Telemedicine Program is a recurring Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) group, offered three times a year. This program provides 11 weeks of OHIP-covered group therapy led by a medical psychotherapist. With provincial wait times averaging several months to over a year, this program has significantly improved access to those in need.

Telemedicine plays a vital role in supporting FHT clinicians and physicians in delivering timely patient care. Many providers rely on the service, with support from the FHT OTN Telemedicine Coordinators for setup and troubleshooting.

Total Visits: 1434   |  Unique Patients: 544   |   eConsults: 1014
Patient quotes
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Patient Quotes

  • “I can’t believe how quickly my appointment was made. I was expecting several months wait.”

  • “The doctor is just wonderful. My sessions are great with her. I am so lucky to have her, thank you!”

Foot Care Program

The Foot Care Program provides essential foot care for patients at high risk of complications who do not have private health coverage. This includes individuals with diabetes, frail seniors aged 65 and older, and those connected with the LINKS program.

Without proper professional foot care, patients are at increased risk of complications such as diabetic foot ulcers, which may lead to digit or limb amputation, decreased mobility, and infections resulting from to soft tissue injury.

The program monitors patients for early signs of potential complications related to foot health. Education is provided at every appointment, along with strategies for safe self-care at home.

 

Total Visits: 1034   |  Unique Patients: 512
Patient Story
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Foot Care Patient Story

A patient presented with foot pain that was significantly affecting his ability to walk, leading to a reduction of activity. He expressed concern, aware that individuals with diabetes are at increased risk of foot complications but was unsure how to manage the new onset of pain.

Assessment revealed significant callus formation on the sole of his foot in the area of discomfort. During debridement, a foreign object was discovered embedded in the tissue. The patient was unaware of its presence and did not recall any related injury. The object was removed, resulting in immediate relief of symptoms.

This visit also provided an important opportunity for patient education regarding the importance of never walking barefoot and performing daily foot checks for injuries. At follow-up several months later, the patient showed no evidence of the previous injury or callus formation, had returned to his regular exercise routine, and reported being completely pain free.

Lung Health Program

The Lung Health Program works to optimize health outcomes for adults and children living with chronic respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD, and other chronic lung diseases. The program delivers comprehensive education and support to assist patients in managing their conditions and improving overall quality of life.

The team of Certified Respiratory Educators (CREs), including Registered Nurses and a Registered Respiratory Therapist, works in collaboration with primary care providers and a Respirologist to help reduce exacerbations, walk-in clinic visits, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations, while supporting improved clinical outcomes and respecting patient preferences.

Lung Health services include in-depth assessments, diagnostic testing (spirometry), consultation with a respirologist (as appropriate), recommendations for specific inhaled medications and patient-centred education.

The Lung Health team also supports patients being assessed for lung transplantation by providing guidance throughout the referral process, coordinating care, and offering local support as needed.

The team also liaises with third party pharmaceutical companies and patient support programs to ensure patients have access to specialized medications with as much financial coverage and support as possible.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a cornerstone of chronic disease management and is considered one of the most effective adjunct therapies for COPD patients to optimize respiratory outcomes and reduce the frequency and severity of exacerbations. Recently, the BCFHT relaunched its Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, with patients reporting improved functional capacity and increased activity tolerance.

 

Total Visits: 4731  |  Unique Patients: 1307
Patient Quotes
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Pulmonary Rehab Patient Quotes:

“Before I started Pulmonary Rehab, I couldn’t go down to the basement to help with the laundry. Walking up the stairs took all my energy for the day, and I felt limited in my daily activities. Since participating in the program, I can now walk down and up the stairs safely and have better control of my breathing with the techniques shown in our classes. I no longer feel that one activity takes all my energy for the day and I can continue my daily activities”

“Since starting the program, I haven’t had an exacerbation of my COPD. Prior to the program I would have at least one every month or two. I now feel more empowered to make informed decisions to help me manage my symptoms at home if I were to become sick.”

” I think every patient with lung disease should take this program- it has given me so much confidence and breathing feels easier when doing difficult things.”

STOP (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients) Program

The STOP (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients) Smoking Cessation Program provides effective support to help patients quit smoking cigarettes, cigars, and vaping nicotine. In collaboration with CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), the STOP team offers smoking cessation counseling and Nicotine Replacement Therapy.

The team consists of seven care providers, all certified in the Applied Cessation Counselling and Health TEACH program through the University of Toronto.

The program offers in-person and virtual care via telephone, depending on patient preference. CAMH also provides a patient portal, allowing patients to complete intake forms online. For those who require assistance or lack internet access, team members are available to help complete the intake process, ensuring equitable access for all community members.

 

Total Visits: 1214  |  Unique Patients: 309
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Aging Well Clinic (AWC)

The Aging Well Clinic supports community-dwelling older adults experiencing memory concerns and/or complex health challenges. The team includes a Nurse Practitioner, Nurses, an Occupational Therapist, and a Consulting Physician.

The clinic provides comprehensive geriatric assessments for individuals over 65 with memory concerns (not attributed to normal aging) and/or those over 70 with complex health challenges. Working closely with the family physician and nurse practitioner, the team develops patient-centered care plans to address these issues and provides ongoing support.

The clinic connects patients and caregivers to community resources and helps them navigate the local healthcare system.

The goals of the clinic are to optimize health, maintain function, and support future planning.

 

Total Visits: 2267  |  Unique Patients: 453
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Diabetes Program

The Diabetes Program offers a multidisciplinary approach to help individuals aged 18 and older, who have been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, to improve their health. Through education and ongoing support, Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) empower patients to manage their condition through diet, lifestyle adjustments and medication optimization, while enabling them to make informed decisions about their care.

Registered Nurse CDEs and Registered Dietitian CDEs work closely with patients to review laboratory results, including A1C, blood glucose levels, and other relevant clinical findings, as well as medications and medical history. Patients receive counselling based on their individual needs and personalized care goals. Recommendations and care considerations are shared with the patient’s primary care provider to support ongoing follow-up and a coordinated care approach.

In addition to individual assessments, Registered Dietitian CDEs offer group sessions for individuals with pre-diabetes. These sessions focus on lifestyle counseling and equip patients with practical tools to help them effectively manage their health and blood sugars.

This year, the Diabetes Program launched initiatives to improve access to care through the implementation of direct referrals from Community Paramedics. This new collaboration helps ensure timely access to diabetes education and support for patients who may not see their family physician as frequently as recommended.

By empowering patients with knowledge and self-management strategies, the program supports them to make informed decisions about their health and diabetes management.

 

Total Visits: 2547   |  Unique Patients: 850
Patient Stories
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Patient Story

A gentleman with diabetes attended the BCFHT clinic. He presented with low motivation to change and expressed feeling unheard when discussing his symptoms. He was taking Ozempic but was experiencing nausea, fatigue, and poor appetite, and was frustrated with the recommendation to continue the medication due to its effectiveness in managing his blood glucose levels.

The Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) validated his concerns and explored his experience further. Through discussion, it was identified that an alternative medication may better meet his needs with fewer side effects while still supporting glycemic control. The CDE communicated these findings with his physician.

Dietary strategies were also provided to help optimize blood glucose levels. As a result, the patient’s motivation began to improve. He reported feeling heard and understood and expressed appreciation for the care received at the BCFHT clinic, noting that he felt more in control of his health.

School Success Program (SSP)

The School Success Program (SSP) is a multidisciplinary team consisting of Paediatricians, Nurses, Mental Health Therapists, an Occupational Therapist, and an Administrative Assistant. Together, the team provides specialized support to elementary school students in Barrie, Innisfil, and Shanty Bay who are experiencing school-related challenges, including developmental, social, emotional, and behavioural concerns.

The program supports students and families through a holistic, student-centred model of care that promotes success both within and beyond the classroom. SSP provides timely access to assessments, recommendations, and connections to appropriate resources and services.

Through close collaboration with teachers and primary care providers (family physicians and nurse practitioners), the team delivers a coordinated and integrated approach that streamlines access to services, including specialist consultations and targeted interventions from mental health and occupational therapy professionals.

In 2025, the SSP expanded its catchment area to include all elementary schools within the Innisfil region. This expansion resulted in a significant increase in referrals, school consultations, and communication with families and educational staff by the team. The program also introduced new initiatives to strengthen family engagement and support, including a parent/guardian drop-in group focused on sensory education, offering caregivers opportunities to learn, share experiences, and access professional guidance. The ADHD drop-in group continues to run, with guest speakers such as nurse practitioners and pharmacists.

The SSP team continues to provide comprehensive support tailored to the social, emotional, behavioural, and developmental needs of children and families, while coordinating with community partners to support seamless referrals and ongoing access to appropriate services.

 

Total Visits: 2257  |  Unique Patients: 492
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Prenatal and Well Baby (PNWB)

The Prenatal and Well Baby (PNWB) Program provides routine prenatal care and well-baby/child care for women and children (up to six years of age) in the Barrie area who do not have a primary care provider, such as a Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner.

The program is delivered by a dedicated team of Registered Nurses working alongside Physicians and Nurse Practitioners. The team also includes an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), who provides expert breastfeeding support.

Services Offered
PNWB appointments include the following services:

  • Prenatal Care
    Initial and follow-up prenatal visits for expectant individuals up to 28 weeks’ gestation
  • Well-Baby and Well-Child Care
    Delivery of routine health examinations, developmental screening and assessment, and administration of recommended immunizations for children up to six years of age
  • Seasonal Vaccinations
    Administration of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus vaccines to eligible clinic clients
  • Episodic care
    Provision of non-urgent, episodic care to registered clinic patients, excluding cases involving acute respiratory symptoms or febrile illness
  • Cervical Cancer Screening
    Provision of cervical cancer screening in accordance with current clinical guidelines
  • Lactation Support
    Delivery of individualized prenatal and postnatal breastfeeding support, as well as facilitation of prenatal group education sessions
  • Community Connections
    Coordination of referrals and navigation to appropriate community-based health and social services
  • Care Delivery
    Timely delivery of in-person care at the clinic, with virtual visits available when clinically appropriate and requested, reducing the demand on local hospitals and urgent care centres
  • Collaboration
    Collaboration with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU), but with reduced access as of 2026: Public Health Nurse for lactation support attending one day per month, compared to one day per week previously.

Reported lactation service volumes reflect visits delivered by both FHT and SMDHU staff within the PNWB clinic.

 

Total Visits: 3100 (RN and NP)  |  Unique Patients: 1179 (RN and NP)
*Lactation Services: Total Visits: 880   |  Unique Patients: 596

*Lactation Services numbers represent visits provided by FHT and SMDHU staff at the PNWB clinic.

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Nurse Practitioners (NP)

The Nurse Practitioner team provides care and support across 64 family practices offices, including the Family Medical Teaching unit (FMTU) at the Royal Victoria Hospital. The NP team also supports the FHT Aging Well and Prenatal Well Baby Programs.

NPs provide in-person and virtual care, helping to ensure ongoing access to primary healthcare services in the community. Working to their full scope of practice, they deliver preventative care and chronic disease management as well as same-day access for acute and episodic concerns.

Nurse Practitioners support mentorship through preceptorship opportunities for NP students and have received positive feedback from students for their involvement in this role.

 

Total Visits: 32,824  |  Unique Patients: 20,059
Patient Quote
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Patient Quote for Nurse Practitioners

  • “Thank you, you really listened to me today and I felt heard”.

Pharmacy

The Family Health Team (FHT) pharmacist plays an integral role in supporting safe, effective, and patient-centred care through collaborative consultation. Referrals are received for a wide range of services, including identifying, resolving, and preventing drug interactions; deprescribing; initiating and optimizing medication therapy; monitoring effectiveness and tolerance; and supporting safe and appropriate drug dosing.

The FHT pharmacist contributes significantly to care planning by leveraging clinical expertise, accessing patients’ medical records, and communicating closely with patients and their healthcare providers. Access to laboratory results and clinical documentation enables informed, evidence-based recommendations that align with each patient’s health goals.

The pharmacist also collaborates closely with other FHT providers to deliver interdisciplinary patient education. This year, the pharmacist co-facilitated several group programs, including Tools for Successful Weight Management and Bone Health (Nutrition Program), ADHD, Now What? (School Success Program), and Inhalers: Types and Techniques (Lung Health Program).

In addition to direct patient care, the pharmacist develops and delivers educational content for prescribers and interprofessional teams, helping the FHT remain current with best practice. The Pharmacy Program publishes a regular newsletter, Pharmacy Capsule, featuring topics such as Lipid Guideline Review, Updates in Weight Management, and Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. The pharmacist also supports the Family Medicine Teaching Unit by providing educational sessions for medical residents on topics including insulin dosing, prescribing practices, and drug coverage.

 

Total Visits: 1174   |  Unique Patients: 502
MAP Patient Quote
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Patient Quote from a Patient Attending a Bone Health Class

  • “Thank you so much for highlighting the benefits of the medication – it is true that the education around risks seems to be more available – it was the first thing the doctor told me when he mentioned the possibility of medication! After your talk I have a better attitude towards meds!”

Nutrition Services

Nutrition Services, delivered by Registered Dietitians (RDs) continues to be highly valued and well utilized by both primary care providers and patients, with approximately 125–150 referrals received monthly. To reduce wait times and improve timely access for urgent referrals, additional contract RD support was secured for part of the fiscal year.

RDs provide evidence-based medical nutrition therapy for patients across the lifespan, supporting a wide range of health conditions. Services are delivered through individual and group appointments, offered virtually and in person. RDs work closely with pharmacists, mental health providers, nurse practitioners, and physicians to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.

RDs facilitate several group programs for chronic disease management and collaborate with the FHT pharmacist to deliver the Tools for Successful Weight Management program and with the Mental Health Program to deliver the Mindful and Emotional Eating course. This past year, RDs also partnered with the Lung Health Program to support COPD group sessions and worked with the School Success Program on parent education initiatives.

Improving access to nutrition education remains a priority. The RD team continues to update online educational materials, including prerecorded class sessions, to expand access to FHT RD-approved nutrition resources. RDs also contribute to interdisciplinary education, providing sessions for the Nurse Practitioner group on topics such as iron and nutrition during perimenopause and menopause.

Collaboration with Ontario Health Team (OHT) partners remains an important focus. Notable partnerships include:

  • Osteoporosis Canada – delivering Bone Health and Fracture Prevention sessions
  • RVRHC – offering our Food and Mood session to support their Mental Health Outpatient Program
  • Hospice Simcoe – Provision of nutrition education sessions and resources for the Living Well program, as needed

 

Total Visits: 3742   |  Unique Patients: 1667
Patient STORIES & Quotes
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Link to Patient Stories & Quotes

  • Patient Success Story:

    A 58-year-old female was referred to the RD team for Diverticulosis in Nov 2024. Her diagnoses included hypothyroidism, diverticulitis, constipation, chronic back pain, anxiety/depression, and arthritis.

    The patient felt she wasn’t “being heard” by her medical team. Her mood was low with depression and she felt discouraged, verbalizing frustration in her health symptoms. She experienced weight loss from not eating and avoiding foods due to fear of pain. The patient has strictures and scarring in the colon and her gastroenterologist felt she may need possible surgery in the future to remove them. She saw an ENT and was diagnosed with GERD, she was constipated as well. Her activity level was low, spending a lot of time in bed or sitting in a chair.

    The RD worked with her to improve bowel regularity, food intake, eating more fibre and getting adequate fluids, in addition to a review of vitamin/mineral supplements.

    As a result, the patient’s mood improved, she reported feeling happier and her partner noticed. She also reported less pain, no GI pain/reflux, and regular bowel movements. Her activity level increased as well, and she was now walking about an hour per day. She increased her fluid level as well as the variety of food intake. Her weight increased and sleep improved. This patient was very grateful for the RD’s intervention, patience, and empathy.

  • “Thanks for the phone call today. My son was concerned that he would be called out on his junk food intake and he was quite embarrassed and concerned about the call. Thank you for handling it so professionally and not having any judgment. He felt comfortable throughout the call, and I appreciate that it was a good experience for him. With his autism he can be particular about his food preferences, but we’re absolutely going to try out the things that you suggested.”

  • “I’m happy seeing results. My weight is going down – I’m seeing a jaw line again. None of my clothes fit me anymore. I went down a pant size and had to get my husband to drill another hole in my belt!”

Mental Health

A team of Mental Health Therapists and Psychiatrists work together to help individuals and couples deal with issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, grief and loss, and relationship issues.

Services include:

  • Short-term individual and couples counselling
  • Psychiatric consultation for children, youth and adults
  • Educational and skills-based groups including Depression 101, Anxiety Management and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
  • System navigation and recommendations to community resources

A new intake screening process has been implemented to ensure the appropriateness of referrals, promote equitable access for all referred patients, standardize procedures, and clearly define the program’s scope for mild to moderate mental health concerns.

A monthly Mental Health Clinic was conducted at the Family Medicine Teaching Unit where Mental Health Therapists observed patient encounters and provided support and guidance to Physician Residents. The clinic encourages reflective practice and helps residents deliver more confident, compassionate, and effective patient care.

Total Visits: 6660 | Unique Patients: 1433 (*Therapist only, includes groups)
Total Psychiatric Referrals: 759
Patients' Quotes
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Patients’ Quotes

  • “Special thanks to the group facilitators for their guidance, patience and support during our time together.”

  • “I loved how everyone felt comfortable to express themselves. The group facilitator made this classroom a safe and informative place to learn. I was impressed by how she listened and took the time and offered her undivided attention.”

Information Technology (IT)

The IT Department continues to enhance the overall patient experience through ongoing improvements to Accuro, the FHT’s electronic medical record (EMR) platform. Working closely with the vendor, the team is advancing enterprise deployment functionality to streamline the rollout of new features and improve consistency across clinical environments. These enhancements also support greater integration with third-party digital health tools, including AI scribe solutions, clinic automation software, and eReferral platforms helping to reduce administrative burden, improve workflow efficiency, and enable more seamless information sharing across multiple systems.

In addition, IT supports both the FHT and FHO in implementing and expanding of online appointment booking systems such as Medeo and Ocean. These platforms provide patients with more convenient and access to physician schedules, improving accessibility and patient engagement, while reducing scheduling pressures on front office staff.

Beyond project implementation, the IT team remains focused on maintaining reliable infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity, and supporting staff through training, troubleshooting, and ongoing technical assistance. As digital healthcare technologies continue to evolve, the department remains committed to identifying opportunities that improve efficiency, support high-quality patient care, and enhance the overall user experience for both staff and patients.

 

Total Calls: 6856   |  Tickets Resolved: 5722
Accuro Users: 558  |  Locations: 24 sites and 58 offices
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Quality Improvement and Decision Support (QIDS)

The Quality Improvement (QIDS) team collaborates closely with clinical programs, physician offices, and the IT department to support continuous improvement initiatives. The team’s primary goal is to equip providers with the tools to track performance measures, collect community feedback through surveys, and generate reports that inform quality improvement initiatives.

QIDS is responsible for compiling data and producing standardized reports for FHT clinical programs, the Board, and the Ministry of Health.

As a key contributor to program reviews, the team helps ensure care remains current and evidence-based. Their work supports improved patient and provider experiences, enhanced clinical outcomes, streamlined processes, and the development of the Quality Improvement Plan.

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Human Resources (HR)

In Spring 2025, we received our first instalment of Recruitment and Retention funding, which was applied to increasing employee salaries. This was an important step in recognizing the FHT team and supporting competitiveness in a challenging hiring market.

We also reached a long-awaited milestone as CMHA-affiliated staff officially became BCFHT employees. HR was actively involved with onboarding throughout February and March in preparation for this transition, with 14 mental health team members joining on April 1, 2026.

While engagement across the team remains strong, retention continues to be an area of focus. For 2025/2026, the retention rate was 86%, with all departures being voluntary, including one retirement. Approximately half of those leaving permanent roles had been with the organization for less than two years, most landing higher-paying opportunities.

At the same time, we continue to benefit from a stable and experienced core team. At year-end, 15 employees (19%) had more than 15 years of service, and 35 employees (44%) had over 10 years with the BCFHT.

To close out the fiscal year (March 31, 2026), our key HR metrics are as follows:

Total Permanent BCFHT Employees: 79
New Permanent BCFHT Hires: 11
Retention Rate: 86%

**The addition of the 14 mental health team members on April 1, 2026, is not reflected in these year-end numbers.