Doctor Shortage Threatening the Economic Well-Being of our Communities

Doctors receive support from municipal leaders

Ottawa, Aug 26, 2008 – In an unprecedented move, Ontario's doctors asked municipal leaders at this year's Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference to join in calling on the provincial government to take any measures necessary to ensure every Ontarian has access to a family doctor.

Support for a petition urging government action was overwhelming, with close to 400 signatures received.

"There isn't a municipality in Ontario that doesn't know the plight of patients without access to a family doctor," said Dr. Ken Arnold, President of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). "The amount of support from municipal leaders across the province is an indication of just how wide-spread this problem is."

Arnold raised concerns not only about the impact on the health of patients across the province, but also the negative economic impact that the doctor shortage is having on many communities. A poll conducted by the OMA showed that 83% of Ontarians believe that the doctor shortage negatively affects the economic growth of their communities. Doctors want to make sure that all municipalities have an adequate number of doctors to:

Ensure their citizens are healthy and have timely health care.
Attract businesses and skilled employees so that their economies are able to grow and prosper.
Reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
Ensure quality care for an aging population.

"Ontario's doctors want to ensure patients in Ontario - regardless of where they live - have access to physician care," said Dr. Arnold. "We received great support from the municipalities in terms of pushing forward the ban on smoking in cars with children legislation and we are calling for their support again to ensure all Ontarians have access to the health care they deserve."

According to the OMA, Ontario's doctors, with the help of the provincial government, have taken on 630,000 patients who were previously without a doctor; however, the province is still short 2,500 physicians, leaving over 850,000 patients without their own family physician. The OMA fears that as competition from other provinces and the United States continues to grow, Ontario could see a net loss of physicians for the third year in a row. To compound this, the OMA found that Ontario would lose another 2,500 doctors today if all those 65 and older decided to retire.

"Communities in Ontario have already devoted great energy and resources towards attracting more family doctors," said Dr. Arnold. "It is our hope that by opening this discussion and partnering with communities, we will be able to build on this work and affect some positive change."

For further information: OMA Media Relations at (416) 340-2862 or toll-free at 1-800-268-7215 ext. 2862