Doctor Shortage Deepens as Guelph’s Population Grows Faster Than Recruitment
- Friday, October 24th, 2025 - 4:11 pm
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Guelph and Wellington County are facing an increasingly urgent doctor shortage as population growth continues to outpace the rate of physician recruitment. According to a report from the Guelph Wellington Ontario Health Team (GW OHT), the region’s 269,400 residents are currently served by only 172 family physicians, leaving about nine per cent of residents without a primary care provider.
The report estimates a shortage of 40 family doctors today, with 212 needed to meet current demand. By 2051, that need is expected to grow to 308, leaving a shortfall of 136 physicians if recruitment doesn’t accelerate. To maintain the existing ratio of one doctor for every 1,298 residents, at least three to four new physicians must be added each year.
“Physician recruitment is especially critical at this time as demand and competition for physicians grows across Ontario and Canada,” said Emmi Perkins, director of transformation with the GW OHT.
Population growth, particularly among seniors, is compounding the problem. About 27 family physicians in the region are over 60 and approaching retirement, while the number of residents aged 65 and older is rising faster than the overall population. This means more patients will require care for age-related conditions, further straining an already stretched system.
In 2023, six new family doctors joined practices in Guelph, replacing four who retired. Recruitment efforts expanded significantly in 2024, with 74 primary care and specialist physicians added across the region and 57 medical residents supported through GW OHT partnerships.
To better coordinate recruitment, a new dedicated recruiter role for Guelph has been developed. The position will be jointly hosted by the Guelph Family Health Team and Guelph General Hospital and will work closely with Wellington County’s existing recruiter, who has helped attract doctors to rural communities since 2008. Funding for the Guelph recruiter has been budgeted and is awaiting confirmation from municipal partners and the Ministry of Health.
The recruiter will support physicians in transitioning to local practices, assist their families in settling in the community, and connect them with incentives such as office space and start-up funding. Future recruitment strategies include partnering more closely with medical schools, expanding local training opportunities, and creating centralized advertising for physician openings.
Currently, only three clinics in Guelph — Clair Medical Centre, East Guelph Medical Clinic, and Hartsland Medical Centre — are accepting new patients. Residents seeking a primary care provider can find more information on the Guelph Wellington Ontario Health Team’s website.
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