When I moved to Canada and began my medical practice in the late 1980s, I was immediately drawn to working in rural, underserved communities. My first practice was in Newfoundland, where I started my medical work as a Junior House Officer. Through hard work and dedication, within a few short years, I was appointed as Senior Medical Officer, the highest title for a doctor in Newfoundland. At the age of 34, I was the youngest to achieve this title
From this senior position, I developed an intimate knowledge of the huge gaps in access to state-of-the-art medical care in rural regions of Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick. I knew that my career would be dedicated to addressing those gaps to the best of my ability.
In 1994, I took a position as the Director of the Bingham Memorial Hospital in Matheson, Ontario. While the hospital was 3,000 km from my previous post, the issues around gaps in care remained much the same. In our small town of around 2,500 people, I came to know most people in the community, if not as patients, then as neighbours. I still call this beautiful town my home.
But in the 30 years since I’ve moved here, the residents here and in the surrounding communities of Northern Ontario are still facing many of the same challenges with accessing healthcare services, particularly when it comes to the availability of family doctors and medical facilities.
A recent CBC article reported that two hospitals in our region are beyond repair and would be more cost-effective to replace completely. These are part of the quarter of all hospitals in the province that are listed as being in poor condition. That’s a big reason why 7 out of 10 Ontario nurses say they can’t provide adequate patient care.
The provincial government has responded to these alarming numbers, pledging $208 million this year to repair and upgrade hospitals and community healthcare facilities. But this does not solve the enormous scarcity of family doctors and facilities in the vast, remote stretches of our province.
Our area is well-known for its rugged landscapes, extreme weather and sparse population. Many residents are forced to travel long distances for basic medical care, facing obstacles such as harsh weather conditions, transportation issues, and the financial burden of travel. In my many years as a doctor, I traveled through these harsh conditions on a regular basis, determined to do whatever I could to bridge the gap in access to healthcare.
There has been an increase in programs in Ontario medical schools that are specifically designed to train physicians for practice in rural and remote areas. These programs focus on equipping medical students with the skills and experience needed to work in underserved regions, encouraging them to establish their practices in Northern Ontario upon completion of their training.
The government has also introduced financial incentives to attract family doctors to rural and remote areas. These incentives include student loan forgiveness, signing bonuses, and competitive salaries, aiming to make rural practice more appealing to medical professionals. Telemedicine services also have been expanded, allowing residents of Northern Ontario to consult with healthcare professionals through video chats for consultations, follow-ups, and access to specialists.
Many communities have taken matters into their own hands by developing local healthcare solutions. These include establishing community health centers, recruiting healthcare professionals through local initiatives, and creating supportive environments that encourage medical professionals to stay in the region.
While these efforts represent significant steps toward improving healthcare access in Northern Ontario, so much remains to be done. Continued investment, innovation, and collaboration are essential to ensure that the healthcare needs of all residents are met, regardless of their geographical location. Addressing the healthcare disparities in Northern Ontario not only improves the quality of life for its residents but also contributes to the region's overall development and sustainability.
As these initiatives move forward, the hope is that healthcare accessibility for Northern Ontario is no longer a privilege but a given.
