|
|
|
|
| TODAY'S NEWS | SEARCH THE NEWSROOM | NEWS BY MINISTRY |
New Initiatives Encourage Group Practices and Provide Support to
Underserviced Communities
GUELPH, ON, Nov. 30 /CNW/ - The McGuinty Government's plan for Ontario's
health care system will provide patients with better access to physicians,
Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman said during a visit to
the Speed River Family Health Network.
"With 142 communities in the province without enough doctors, our
government is committed to improving access to physician services across the
province," Smitherman said. "The agreement we negotiated with the OMA
encourages and rewards doctors who work together in teams, like this Family
Health Network here in Guelph. These investments will go a long way to giving
Ontarians in rural and northern communities the care they deserve when and
where they need it."
Specific initiatives in the plan include:
- Offering doctors increases of up to 35 per cent to work in team-based
health care - including Family Health Networks and Family Health
Groups.
- Expanding funding for physicians to manage chronic diseases like
diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS and mental illness.
- Rewarding doctors to spend more time caring for senior citizens in
their communities, long-term care and in their own homes
- Rewarding doctors for disease prevention and health promotion
including assisting people to stop smoking and screening for
colorectal cancer.
The minister also said there are rewards and supports for doctors who
agree to practise in local communities that have too few doctors, including
new funding of $20 million per year to support physicians working in the North
and also attract up to 100 new doctors.
"Our plan for improved access to quality health care is about breaking
with the status quo by encouraging physicians to work in new and better ways,"
Smitherman said. "The result is better access to health services for all
Ontarians."
This news release, along with other media materials, such as matte
stories and audio clips, on other subjects, are available on our website at:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca under the News Media section.
Version française disponible
-30-
For further information: Members of the media: Eva Lannon, Minister's Office, (416) 327-4320; Dan Strasbourg, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, (416) 314-6197; Members of the general public: (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154
Other news releases disseminated by this ministry
