Money from a $110 million provincial fund to improve access to healthcare is coming to three organizations in the district.

A little over $1.8 million is being split between the NorWest Community Health Centre, the Lakehead Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic, and the Greenstone Family Health Team.

The goal is to improve the provinces current percentage of 90 percent of residents connected to a regular health care provider, which officials say is the highest in the country.

Earlier this month the larger fund was announced by Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones, geared towards connecting Ontarians to a range of health professionals from doctors and nurse practitioners to social workers and dieticians.

Thunder Bay – Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland says he looks forward to the this current collaboration and any future collaborations which may come .

“By working with and listening to the health care providers in our region, our government is making targeted investments to ensure that every citizen has access to a Primary Care Provider, and today’s significant investment brings us closer to achieving that goal.”

Additionally, this plan of action is also expected relieve pressure on emergency departments and walk-in clinics, while allowing people to stay healthier longer with faster diagnosis and treatment of issues.