News
Ontario College of Family Physicians stands ready to work with re-elected Ontario government
Ontario’s Family Doctors continue to call for more government support
The Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) wishes to congratulate Premier Doug Ford and the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party on their re-election. We also congratulate all MPPs elected to form the 43rd Parliament and would like to stress the need to invest in Ontario’s family doctors to ensure that every Ontarian has access to a family doctor.
In the best healthcare systems in the world, every patient has access to a family doctor—but 1.3 million Ontarians say they are living life without a family doctor. Polling undertaken during the election showed that 80 per cent of all Ontarians believe the current doctor shortage is a major problem in the healthcare system.
“COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of Ontarians having access to high-quality and comprehensive healthcare—and that begins with access to a family doctor. We are looking forward to working with this government to ensure that every Ontarian has a family physician,” said Dr. Elizabeth Muggah, President, Ontario College of Family Physicians.
Earlier this year, informed by input from members, the OCFP launched an advocacy campaign titled “Life Without a Doctor”, to highlight the growing shortage of family doctors in Ontario and propose solutions to ensure that all Ontarians have equitable access to a family physician. These solutions include:
Ensuring every Ontarian has a family doctor alongside a team so patients, especially those with complex medical needs, can get the help they need faster.
Creating more accessible care by increasing the time that family doctors can spend providing direct patient care.
Ensuring every Ontarian has a family doctor by recruiting and retaining more family doctors within the province.
As the new government is formed, the OCFP stands ready to work with the government to ensure that each of these solutions are implemented. For more information, please visit LifeWithoutADoctor.ca.
– 30 –
About the Ontario College of Family Physicians
The OCFP represents more than 15,000 family doctors who support Ontarians in both urban and rural communities in our province. Our members have direct insight into the unique healthcare needs of Ontario’s varying populations. With their guidance, and together with our family physician members, the OCFP has developed three overarching solutions for Ontario parties to implement post-election that will increase access to care for more Ontarians.
Media Contact
Karen Leiva
Director, Communications
media@ocfp.on.ca