'We need to catch up,' Ontario physicians group seeks change to improve health care
Physicians determined to fix Ontario's health care system are calling on the government for support to address the pandemic backlog of services that the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) estimates could take years in a new report published on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Dr. Rose Zacharias visited Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop's office in Midland to deliver the OMA's report to improve health care.
"We know that 20,000 essential patient encounters were missed during the pandemic," said Zacharias, OMA president-elect. "We need to catch up."
According to the OMA, catching up means tackling a backlog that impacts five of the most common medical procedures, including knee and hip replacements, cataract surgeries, heart bypass surgeries and MRIs.
The association reports nearly 700,000 individuals are waiting for procedures.
Read the full Ontario Medical Association's report here.
Zacharias said the major concern is the most vulnerable population, residents battling mental health and seniors in long-term care who find themselves isolated and unable to access care in the overburdened systems.
She said vulnerable patients aren't getting the care they require because "they're falling through the cracks."
"I'm there at the frontlines working 20 years in the emergency department, and also a Medical Hospitalist here at Waypoint Hospital. We see it," Zacharias added.
In a statement, Dunlop's office responded to receiving the OMA report, saying it was "in the process of reviewing it."
It noted that the government would ensure "no stone is left unturned" so Ontarians could continue receiving quality health care.
"The Ontario government is investing $741 million to help clear the backlog of surgeries and build more capacity in the health care system to effectively manage surges and outbreaks in COVID-19 cases," the statement continued.
The OMA's report states that fixing Ontario's health care system would require a collaborative effort among health providers and the government.
The medical association said political parties should include its recommendations to address the gaps in health care in their platforms in the next provincial election in June.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.