Northern doctor calls for changes to improve health care in the north
A northern Ontario doctor is making recommendations to the Ontario government when it comes to improving health care in the north.
Dr. Stephen Cooper was among representatives from the Ontario Medical Association who made a presentation Tuesday as part of the government’s pre-budget consultations.
Cooper, a family doctor, said when it comes to health care, there’s always more work to do.
“Lots of work to do, yes,” he said.
“Patients are waiting and they don't want to wait any longer."
Cooper was one of two northern Ontario doctors representing the OMA who made a presentation to the province’s standing committee on finance and economic affairs as part of Tuesday's pre-budget consultations to improve northern Ontario health care.
“I’d like to think they’re listening to the OMA and to myself,” Cooper said.
“But I think they’re listening to their constituents that are saying they need to move forward on this. It’s patients that are making the loudest voice.”
The OMA is making three recommendations, including that the province license more foreign-trained physicians by creating a practice-ready assessment program to get internationally trained doctors to underserved northern communities
The OMA also wants to create a centralized wait list for procedures with a referral and triage management system for surgeries, and allow diagnostic services and equipment to be provided to long-term care homes to alleviate pressure on hospitals.
“It’s about helping the system,” Cooper said.
“I think we’re trying to get away from just going to hospitals. It’s about alleviating the wait time for primary care, community specialists, or home care and hospitals.”
Cooper said last year, northern Ontario experienced a shortfall of 325 family doctors, psychiatrists, pediatricians and other health care specialists and only expects that number to worsen if action isn’t taken.
“This year, we’re seeing 350,” he said.
“So it’s a worrying trend in the wrong direction despite the fact the ministry has put a lot of good problems in.”
North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico said the city has had some successes.
"There's the doctor attraction program that the city participates in with the regional hospital and that has been very successful,” Chirico said.
“We continue to lobby the government."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Security Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.