QUEEN’S PARK – Leader of Ontario’s Official Opposition, Marit Stiles, was joined by United Steelworkers to call for action as over 10,000 people in Sault Ste Marie, mostly seniors and retirees, were de-rostered from Group Health Centre. The only clinic in the area, Group Health has lost physicians to retirements and resignations, with no replacements available.
“High-risk and vulnerable ageing seniors and elders in Sault Ste Marie are being left without access to care at a time in their life when they need it most,” said Stiles. “After six years in government, Doug Ford and the Conservatives have failed to address the doctor and nurse shortage in the North, and we are witnessing the results.”
The next closest emergency room is hours away.
“Ontario’s New Democrats have been sounding the alarm on this for years," said NDP Health Critic France Gélinas (MPP, Nickel Belt). "We have underemployed nurse practitioners in Northern Ontario who would love to join an interdisciplinary primary care team. They have the knowledge and skills to provide primary care to people in need, but the government refuses to fund them. People’s health and lives are being put at risk due to this government’s failure. Where are they expected to go for their prescription renewal or chronic disease management? What happens when they have a bad fall? This is unacceptable.”
“Doug Ford and the Conservatives need to act. Cut the red tape for internationally trained doctors and nurses; create incentives for health care professionals to work in the north and pay them better; and stop funnelling public dollars into the privatization of health care,” said Stiles.
Background:
United Steelworkers wrote a letter to Premier Doug Ford raising concerns about 10,000 patients being de-rostered and left without primary care providers. While patients are being cut from Group Health Centre, 6000 at risk are being added, bringing the total number of the Soo residents without access to primary care to 26 per cent.
In the 1960s, Steelworkers’ wages funded the building of the Group Health Centre with a commitment to provide free health care to members.