Doctor shortage crisis turning into a catastrophe in the north: OMA
CTV
Northern Ontario doctors are calling on the province to immediately address an acute doctor shortage in northern Ontario.
Northern Ontario doctors are calling on the province to immediately address an acute doctor shortage in northern Ontario.
They, along with the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), said they have been lobbying the government for months and still no plan has been put in place.
The OMA said more than 350 physician vacancies exist in the province and more than 200 of them are family doctors.
"We have a crisis in health care and a crisis turning into a catastrophe in many northern communities," said OMA president Dr. Dominik Nowak.
The OMA launched its Stop the Crisis campaign in October, calling on the province for a health workforce strategy that ensures everyone has access to a family doctor and specialist care.
The OMA said the province needs to attract new doctors to every area while keeping physicians practising until their retirement.
More than 200 doctors attended Queen’s Park Day in October to hand-deliver six recommendations, but the OMA said the province has yet to act.
