Ontario increases primary care teams to fix doctor shortage

In a bid to blunt a shortage leaving at least 2.3 million Ontarians without a family physician, the province is pulling another 400 doctors and other medical providers into its growing network of primary care teams.

The move should give up to 328,000 people across the province better access to care, says Health Minister Sylvia Jones.

Funding of $110 million is going to 78 new and expanded teams of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, physiotherapists, nutritionists and other medical professionals — including in Sault Ste. Marie where a major clinic stunned patients last week by announcing 10,000 would be cut loose at the end of May because their doctors have retired or quit.

While it was not clear if the money earmarked for two teams in the Sault will help the stranded patients, Jones said the funding will “close the gap” for what the Ontario Medical Association says are at least 2.3 million Ontarians who do not have their own family doctor.

 

 

“We know there’s still more to do,” she said.

But that leaves an estimated two million Ontarians without their own physician, said Dr. David Barber, chair of the Ontario Medical Association’s section representing 15,000 general and family practice physicians.

“If adding $110 million for health teams is the government’s idea of a solution, they clearly don’t understand the problem,” he added.

Barber called the money is “inadequate” and “as useful as an umbrella in a hurricane.”

Jones said the $3 million earmarked for the new Peterborough Community Health Centre will enable it to provide care to more than 11,300 patients needing family doctors, mental health services, help with managing chronic diseases like diabetes, and other health needs.

 

The family health team concept is intended to provide support to doctors so they can see more patients while providing a broader range of care through nurse practitioners, nurses and others on staff at a time when physicians are in short supply for the province’s fast-growing and aging population and hospital emergency departments are overwhelmed.

“Many are overworked, some are burned out,” Jones acknowledged, speaking of doctors.

Ontario Hospital Association president Anthony Dale said improved primary care is essential to lessening the burden on hospitals.

“Hospitals should be focused on what they exist to do, which is provide acute care services, surgery, and getting people better.”

 

This article was reported by The Star