Ontario’s government has announced a new program aimed at stabilizing physician staffing in rural emergency departments, addressing a critical need for healthcare access in underserved communities. This precedent setting initiative expands on a temporary program introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to serve rural and northern hospitals. The new program, retroactive to April 1, will provide targeted funding to ensure that residents in these areas have timely access to primary and emergency care.
The provincial government has invested more resources to get COVID-19 testing and vaccines to people in these hard-to-reach communities. The new investments specifically include funding for programs in Kenora and Sioux Lookout, reinforcing the government’s dedication to enhancing healthcare access across all regions of Ontario.
“This new award lays the foundation for long-term recruitment and retention strategies, while addressing urgent issues like income stabilization for early-career physicians and support for underserviced areas,” stated Kimberly Moran, CEO of a local hospital. Her remarks further emphasize the central need to build an enduring healthcare workforce in these communities.
Negotiations between Ontario’s government and the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) recently came to a close. Consequently, physicians will at once see close to a 10 percent pay raise in the initial year of a four-year contract. An arbitrator determined this decision last fall, and negotiations continue over the other terms of the compact.
“By investing in emergency department staffing and strengthening rural and northern health care, we are making significant strides to conveniently connect Ontario families, especially those in rural and northern communities, to the care they need, where and when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Minister of Health. This enthusiasm speaks to the federal government’s renewed dedication to making sure healthcare is available no matter the size of your community.
This program brings top-notch emergency medical care to all communities, large and small. It shines a light on the fact that large populations and small populations are equally worthy of quality medical care.
