Ontario’s doctors urge immediate action in 6 areas

TORONTO – Ontario’s doctors recommend immediate steps that the provincial government should take to stop the crisis in the healthcare system. The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) launched their Stop the Crisis initiative to direct government attention and investment towards six priority areas:

1. Every Ontarian needs a family doctor
2. Save rural and northern health care in Ontario
3. Keep Emergency Departments open
4. Improve access and funding for surgeries, specialists and diagnostic tests
5. Human health resources strategy
6. Enhance digital health care and innovation

“Ontario’s healthcare system is in crisis,” said Dr. Dominik Nowak (pictured), OMA president. “Chronic underfunding has put the future of Ontario health care in jeopardy. This is why doctors are putting forth solutions that the government must enact immediately to tackle our most severe challenges.”

The OMA’s Stop the Crisis recommendations capture areas of the health system in urgent need of support according to physicians and their patients. The initiative includes detailed recommendations, data and analysis, patient stories and physician testimonials.

There are more than 2.5 million Ontarians without a family doctor – that number is projected to balloon to 25 per cent of Ontarians by 2026. Emergency departments are crowded, and, in many communities, they struggle to stay open.

Wait times for specialist care, surgery and diagnostics are long and often exceed acceptable standards. Co-ordination of care for diagnostics tests and access to specialists is disorganized and confusing to patients.

Digital health tools have never been integrated around the needs of users. In northern and rural Ontario, the six crisis areas are most acute.

“Our members are concerned that, without significant government intervention, healthcare in this province will deteriorate beyond repair,” said OMA CEO Kimberly Moran. “The OMA intends to work with government on these solutions. Ensuring the future of healthcare in Ontario must be a top priority.”

The people of Ontario feel the crisis too. According to a recent survey, conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the OMA, 89 percent of Ontarians are concerned about the future of Ontario’s healthcare system. Patients also indicated access to a family doctor and healthcare priorities would influence which party they might vote for.