As the Niagara Region’s population continues to grow, so does its medical community. The region recently welcomed 16 new physicians as part of broader recruitment efforts that brought in 41 permanent full-time physicians during the last fiscal year. This expansion comes at a critical time as Niagara’s population reached 484,840 residents in 2021, marking a 6.8% increase since 2016.
The recruitment push aims to address healthcare workforce challenges in the region, particularly the shortage of family physicians. With 23.3% of Niagara’s population aged 65 or older—higher than Ontario’s average—the need for medical professionals is especially urgent. The region’s median age of 46.0 years compared to Ontario’s 41.6 years highlights this demographic pressure.
Niagara’s aging population intensifies the urgency to recruit physicians amid critical healthcare workforce shortages.
Niagara Health has created a new Chief of Primary Care role to bridge healthcare gaps and is investing over $2.1 million to connect more people to primary care teams. This local initiative aligns with Ontario’s broader $110 million investment to connect 328,000 people across the province to primary care teams. Niagara Health hopes to connect up to 7,600 more patients to primary care services through these efforts.
Education is playing a key role in expanding the healthcare workforce. Niagara College is growing its instructional space at the Welland Campus for allied health programs, while Niagara University received a $300,000 grant for nursing workforce development.
Collaboration between Niagara College and Mohawk College is also strengthening healthcare programs in the region. The partnership creates dedicated spaces for Pre-Health Sciences graduates in high-demand healthcare programs to address critical staffing shortages.
Technology innovations support this growth, with expanded use of virtual reality in healthcare education and telemedicine training. Niagara Health is also implementing a new Hospital Information System while converting to a regional model with three hospital sites.
The upcoming opening of the new South Niagara hospital and redevelopment of Welland hospital for same-day surgical procedures further demonstrate the region’s commitment to expanding healthcare infrastructure.
These combined efforts aim to meet the growing healthcare needs of Niagara’s expanding and aging population.
For more updates on healthcare projects and regional development, visit Marketplace Niagara.
