Gravenhurst joins healthcare campaign to get the province to recognize the doctor shortage
Gravenhurst Council agreed to support the Association Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) to get province to recognize doctor shortage, in the July 16, 2024, meeting.
The AMO and Ontario Medical Association (OMA) joined forces with a resolution campaign advocating on behalf of the lack of access to health care across the province. They are seeking the support of municipalities across Ontario to issue the resolution to the provincial government in hopes of greater recognition and support for the issue.
According to the joint letter by AMO and OMA, “Communities across Ontario have been facing critical healthcare challenges, including healthcare workers; and emergency room closures. These cracks in Ontario’s healthcare systems are impacting economic development, health, and well-being at the local level.”
The letter adds, “By adopting this resolution your municipality can play a crucial role in highlighting the urgent need for more healthcare resources and support.”
The AMO will also have a conference on August 20th and 21st, that will include the OMA, municipal leaders, and doctors, which will provide the opportunity to further collaborate and address healthcare needs.
Councillor, Christina Hunter, said, “2.3 million Ontarians don’t have access to a family doctor.” She added that 40% of doctors are retiring in the next 5 years, and half of those will be in retirement within that time.
Hunter continued that the message is to prioritize healthcare and the doctor shortage. “Everyone should have access to a family doctor,” she said.
Councillor, Michelle Robinson, indicated that northern Ontario has a shortage of more than 350 doctors, 200 which are family doctors, with “half to retire.”
She added that the Town adopting the resolution “can play a crucial role in recognizing the problem.”
Mayor, Heidi Lorenz, concurred with the importance of recognizing the problem. She raised attention to the health community taskforce with the Town’s CAO and other partners currently working on the issue.
She added that regarding AMO’s recommendation that municipalities join forces to approach the province, “we have been working on this.” She continued, “We haven’t been asleep at the wheel until now.”
Councillor, Randy Jorgensen, suggested that medical students is a good way to increase their chances of securing doctors for the future. He said that Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare hosts 100 of them annually. This allows students that come to the area “to get a taste annually in training.” He indicated it increases their chances of staying. “Get them here and hopefully they will stay and practice here,” he said.
