Northern Ontario residents want more doctors and more investment in hospitals and other health-care facilities, according to interim results of a survey carried out by the Ontario Medical Association (OMA).
The OMA has been carrying out a public survey since June asking the people of Ontario to outline their concerns with medical care.
The doctors’ group said one question asked people to identify their top priority for improving local health care other than dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Almost one-third (31 per cent) of the 878 area residents who responded identified the desire for more doctors.
Residents were also asked “what is the single most important thing that can be done to improve health-care services in your community today?”
The OMA said more than one third (34 per cent) chose “invest in new hospitals, clinics and other health-care facilities to improve access." Another one-third (33 per cent) of survey respondents chose “make it easier to get an appointment with my doctor” and 21 per cent chose “improve the delivery of long-term care.”
When asked to choose the statement that best reflected their views on the way health care is delivered in their community.
The OMA said 40 per cent selected “we don’t have enough doctors'' and 22 per cent selected “we need to do more to keep people healthy and out of doctors’ offices.”
The OMA said several of the questions and answers were specific to the communities including North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Kapuskasing and Sudbury. The association also revealed that more than half of the respondents (55 per cent) said they believed health care in Ontario became worse during the pandemic.
Roughly 10 per cent said they believed health care has improved during that time period. A bit more than a third (37 per cent) said their views were unchanged.
Nearly half of the respondents (46 per cent) said the province should put improving health care in their communities at the same priority level as economic recovery from the pandemic. More than a third (38 per cent) said it should be given the highest priority, above all other issues, said the OMA.
Dr. Stephen Cooper, a family physician in Little Current and chair of the local OMA District-9, commented on the responses.
“These findings are incredibly important in helping us at the OMA develop a plan to improve health care and create a more integrated and sustainable system for all Ontarians,” said Cooper.
“This is a huge province and health-care priorities here can be very different from those in other regions like Toronto. By completing this public survey, you help make the voice of northern Ontario heard," Cooper added.
More than 7,400 residents in more than 600 communities across Ontario have completed the survey to date. It is part of a broad consultation process that has involved doctors, nurses and other health-care professionals as well as community leaders. The OMA will release its plan to improve health care based on the consultation process this fall.
The OMA said there is still time for area residents to make their voice heard. The survey will remain open through the Labour Day weekend at betterhealthcare.ca.
Medical association survey shows Northerners want more doctors and more money spent on health care - BayToday.ca
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