Ontario’s Health Minister heard first hand Tuesday about the doctor situation in northwestern Ontario.
Members of Fort Frances council and the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association held separate meetings Tuesday with Christine Elliott during the Rural Ontario Municipal Association’s virtual conference.
Fort Frances councillor Wendy Brunetta, who sits on the area’s Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee, says area doctors meet with them recently to discuss the situation.
“Several doctors from across the district attended to let us know that they are reaching a breaking point. Resignation letters have been submitted, and unfortunately, others are being written,” says Brunetta.
It was recently reported at a recent meeting of the Rainy River District Municipal Association that the district needs eight physicians, four in Fort Frances, two in Emo and two in Rainy River.
Brunetta says the issue isn’t just a local one.
“This issue isn’t exclusive to our community. This issue needs a northern Ontario solution,” says Brunetta.
The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association would like to see the Northern School of Medicine’s capacity expanded.
NOSM had identified the need for 313 physicians, including 126 family physicians (86 in rural communities).
In a resolution passed by NOMA’s board, it says it would take five graduating classes of 64 physicians per year to address the shortage.
