Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding report informs actions to improve residents’ health and wellness
Georgina, ON – May 20, 2026 – The Town of Georgina, Southlake Health, and the Northern York South Simcoe Ontario Health Team (NYSS OHT) are pleased to share Care for All: A Population Health Assessment for Residents in Georgina. Presented to Georgina Council last week, this new report outlines current and future health and wellness needs in Georgina and reflects a shared commitment to collaboration, evidence-informed planning, and coordinated action to support Georgina residents’ health and wellness.
“Creating a healthier community for all is a cause we are all passionate about,” said Mayor Margaret Quirk. “This report provides a comprehensive foundation to guide future health system planning in the Town of Georgina. We look forward to continuing our work with Southlake Health and the Northern York South Simcoe Ontario Health Team to ensure our residents will have timely access to high-quality health care close to home.”
In 2024, the Town of Georgina, Southlake Health, and the NYSS OHT signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a formal partnership around shared goals of improving health and wellness for Georgina residents. The new report is the result of that partnership and carefully assesses Georgina’s current and future needs.
The report combines population trends, health service utilization patterns, service inventory information, and community input to provide a shared evidence base for planning, coordination, and decision-making. Six key findings are identified in the report:
- Georgina benefits from a strong primary care foundation with opportunities to improve access.
- Demand for care is growing alongside an aging population.
- Residents continue to rely heavily on hospital-based care.
- Mental health needs are a significant driver of demand across the local system, and navigating services can be challenging.
- Access to services is not experienced equally across the municipality.
- Demand for seniors’ services and supports is increasing, reinforcing the importance of aging-in-place strategies.
“Georgina is growing and aging rapidly, and this report helps ensure we are planning for the future based on the evolving needs of residents,” said Paul Woods, MD, President and CEO, Southlake Health. “Through this partnership, we are building a stronger, more connected health system that brings leading edge care, closer to home and supports Southlake’s vision for a Distributed Health Network.”
With Georgina’s population expected to reach 70,500 by 2051, the report identifies four strategic priorities:
- Increasing access to primary care and selected local services.
- Targeting health promotion and education to strengthen prevention efforts, reduce chronic disease risk, and improve awareness of available programs and services.
- Taking steps to improve health equity, recognizing geographic and population-based differences in how residents access care.
- Optimize services to address the growing demand for mental health and addictions supports across Georgina.
“This report reflects what is possible when partners across the Northern York South Simcoe Ontario Health Team (NYSS OHT) come together with a shared purpose,” said Christina Bisanz, co-chair of the NYSSOHT. “By working collaboratively across our hospital, primary care providers, homecare, community organizations, and municipal partners, we can better coordinate services and ensure Georgina residents receive the care they need, when and where they need it—close to home.”
The report also highlights progress underway through the partnership, including expanded primary care access, community wellness initiatives, mental health supports, and the launch of local cardiac rehabilitation programming in Georgina.
Together, the Town of Georgina, Southlake Health, and the NYSS OHT will continue working collaboratively with healthcare providers, community organizations, Indigenous partners, and residents to advance a more connected equitable, and responsive health and wellness system for Georgina now and into the future.
Quick Facts
- The Town of Georgina is a geographically large municipality located on the southern shores of Lake Simcoe. Covering approximately 288 square kilometres, the community has an estimated population of approximately 54,000 residents.
- On May 8, Southlake issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to identify potential partners to develop an Advanced Care Centre in Georgina. This request is part of Southlake’s vision to transform into a Distributed Health Network.
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Media Contact:
Lindsey Furlanic
Communications Strategist
289-221-9014
lfurlanic@southlake.ca
About Town of Georgina
Georgina is a lakeshore town in one of Canada’s fastest-growing economic regions, York Region, where residents, organizations and businesses work collaboratively with the municipality to create a well-connected and diversified economy poised for growth. Georgina is a community of communities, with each area having a unique and historical identity, all united and proud to collectively call Georgina home. With 52-kilometres of Lake Simcoe shoreline and only an hour from Toronto, Georgina offers a balanced rural and urban lifestyle, making it a desired location to live, work and play. Add something about Georgina Island, home to the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation.
About Southlake Health
For 100 years and counting, Southlake Health has built healthy communities through leading edge care with an unwavering pride for people, place and performance. Over the years, Southlake Health has evolved into one of Canada’s top healthcare organizations. It is more than a single centre. Southlake Health is a network of expertise, compassion and excellence that delivers health and wellness, close to home.
With 6,000 staff, medical staff, volunteers and learners, as well as an operating budget in excess of $600 million, Southlake Health operates several sites to deliver care to patients across northern York Region and southern Simcoe County. It also provides specialized cardiac and cancer care to patients as far north as Muskoka and as far south as North York through its regional programs.
Southlake Health is committed to growing alongside the communities it serves. State-of-the-art technologies, advanced research and the latest techniques help patients in every stage of life. In a recognition of its commitment to quality and patient safety, Southlake Health has received the highest distinction of Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada for the past 16 years. Known as a pioneer in innovative integrated care initiatives, the Southlake@home program has spread across Ontario to ensure care is always within reach.
With support from its communities, Southlake Health will continue to save lives, push boundaries and bring care closer to home for people today and for generations to come. Help us do more by donating at southlake.ca/foundation.
About Northern York South Simcoe Ontario Health Team
Northern York South Simcoe Ontario Health Team (NYSS OHT) is a partnership of health care organizations providing a wide range of high-quality health and social care services to the residents of northern York Region and southern Simcoe County. The NYSS OHT works to connect care in the communities it serves by working closely together to increase access and reduce gaps in the health care system.