The Underserviced Area Program (UAP) is one of a number of supports provided by the ministry to help underserviced communities recruit and retain health professionals.

The UAP was established in 1969 to respond to the need for more health professionals in Northern Ontario. It has gradually expanded its role to address the issue of health human resources in southern communities.

The program is administered by Health Care Programs Division, North Region Branch, to enhance access to health care services in designated rural and remote areas of the province, which have difficulty attracting and retaining health care professionals. It offers a variety of components aimed at attracting and retaining health care providers to underserviced areas in Ontario. In order to access the UAP's recruitment and retention benefits, a community must be designated as underserviced.

For more information on the Underserviced Area Program, please call
705 564-7280, toll free 1-866-727-9959, fax 705 564-7493 or write to :