Belleville, Sept 9, 2024 – As the Bay of Quinte by-election approaches, Ontario’s doctors are raising alarms about the worsening health-care crisis. From the shortage of family doctors to the growing wait times in emergency departments or for specialist care, now is the time to address the dire needs in the health-care system.
Ontario’s doctors are calling on municipal leaders and residents of the Bay of Quinte region to join a virtual town hall on Thursday, Sept. 12, to address the escalating health care crisis in the area. This event, hosted by the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), will bring together local leaders to discuss the severe challenges facing the health-care system.
All residents are welcome to attend and participate in this important conversation. Full details are below.
According to data collected by INSPIRE-Primary Health Care (PHC), 15 per cent of the population in the riding lacked access to a family doctor as of 2022—a figure that is likely much higher today. In Belleville alone, that figure is more than 23 per cent. This is a stark reminder of the severe strain on Ontario’s health-care system, with more than 2.5 million people across the province now without a family doctor. The situation has reached a critical point, and residents of the Bay of Quinte are no exception to this crisis.
“All people deserve a family doctor and care when and where they need it,” said Dr. Dominik Nowak, president of the Ontario Medical Association. “Repairing and rebuilding our health-care system requires immediate and long-term solutions. Ontario’s Doctors are ready to work with all levels of government to build a stronger, more resilient health-care system that can once again be a source of pride for Ontarians."
Municipalities have been working diligently to recruit doctors, but the situation has reached a critical point where local efforts alone are not enough. Ontario’s doctors are calling on the province to collaborate with the OMA to develop sustainable, long-term solutions to ensure every resident has access to essential health-care services.
The virtual town hall details are as follows:
Date: Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024
Time: 7 pm
Phone number to dial in: 1-855-561-0660
Event ID: 1857
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario’s 43,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario’s health-care system.
For more information, or to set up an interview with an OMA spokesperson, please contact:
Julia Costanzo, OMA media relations
media@oma.org