Medical association presents northern healthcare priorities for pre-budget consultations
On Tuesday, the standing committee on finance and economic affairs heard presentations from organizations in the northeast as part of pre-budget consultations.
Dr. Stephen Cooper, a Manitoulin Island physician, spoke on behalf of the Ontario Medical Association. He highlighted the association's five-point plan, which was launched in Sudbury back in October.
It includes five priorities: reducing wait times, expanding mental health and addiction programs, improving and expanding home and other community care, strengthening public health and pandemic preparedness, and giving every patient a team of healthcare providers and linking them digitally.
To address the shortage of doctors, the OMA recommends several measures, including giving patients access to care in their own communities and reviewing and updating incentives and supports for doctors and other healthcare professionals to practise here in the north.
"We’ve had some really good programs from about 20-30 years ago that really did improve physician recruitment into the north," said Cooper.
"But those haven’t been reviewed in 20 years and so I think we need to look at those. There are many other provinces that are doing the same thing … look what’s worked what hasn’t worked and then put a trial in."
"The health care needs of northern Ontario are growing," said OMA president Dr. Adam Kassam.
"We know that there’s a greater proportion of its population that are over 65. We know there are complex, continuing issues from a care perspective that need to be addressed right now. So our recommendations focus on the need to improve not only access but capacity to deliver service."
Currently in northern Ontario, there is a need for 325 physicians.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.