CMA President Dr. Margot Burnell isn’t waiting for action. She is calling on Members of Parliament (MPs) to ensure health care is at the forefront of the initiatives planned to strengthen the foundation of this great nation. Canada’s health care system is at a critical juncture. A full 89% of Canadians want increased access to universal health care to be the first priority on the national agenda. This tidal wave of emotion speaks to the credibility of the message that a better country is impossible without real progress on health care delivery.
In today’s commitments, the Liberal government has announced some important new initiatives to help tackle the health care crisis facing many Canadians. Combined, these initiatives will train and produce thousands of new doctors to supplement the pipeline. They’ll increase adoption of plan and team based care and reduce the burdensome administrative preventable that plague physicians. The government has committed to enabling health professionals to work where and when they are most needed, a move that aims to enhance the accessibility and responsiveness of the health care system.
Dr. Burnell stresses the need to remove decade-old practices that have resulted in an overwhelming administrative burden on medical professionals. She continues to promote a smarter delivery model that enables physicians to spend less time on paperwork and more time on patient care. Seventy-six percent of Canadians, in fact, are in favor of focusing government’s attention on fixing problems at home. They are right in believing that addressing housing, health care, and affordability should be their #1 priority.
These moves would fulfil the Liberal government’s mandate to break down internal barriers within the health care system, increase efficiency, and lead in innovation. These objectives are critical as Canada seeks to reemerge on the global stage with a confident and robust economic recovery. A healthy population is literally the bedrock of our national prosperity.
Dr. Burnell and the CMA fully support these efforts. They point out that working together across all levels of health professionals is crucial to delivering quality, comprehensive care. While the emphasis on collaborative, team-based approaches benefits patients by improving outcomes and decreasing costs, it creates a more positive workplace for practitioners.
Canadians are ready for real action, not talk from their leaders. The CMA’s leadership under Dr. Burnell is poised to advocate for reforms that align with public demand and drive meaningful change within the health system.
