Title
PHYSICIAN SHORTAGES IN BARRIE AND SURROUNDING AREAS
WHEREAS the City of Barrie has thousands of residents without a family doctor and a hospital with doctor staff that is facing chronic shortages in manpower;
AND WHEREAS one only has to have experience the long wait times at Royal Victoria Hospital or walk-in clinics to know that there is a shortage of physicians in Barrie and area;
AND WHEREAS the challenges that families in Barrie and area face by not having a physician will only become greater as our population allocation increases as expected by the Ontario Government;
AND WHEREAS Physician Recruitment and the investment made in it this recruitment is an important method of attracting physicians as evidenced by past results;
AND WHEREAS the Ontario Government is conducting a review of the province’s Underserviced Area Program (UAP) that may result in Barrie and area losing financial incentives to recruit and retain much-needed physicians;
AND WHEREAS the financial incentives to attract and keep physicians are essential to providing quality front-line health care services in Barrie and area;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That the City of Barrie is opposed to any plan by the Ontario Government to designate Barrie and area as a fully serviced physician area.
2. That a letter be sent by the Mayor of the City of Barrie to the Premier of Ontario and Minister of Health expressing the City’s opposition to such a plan and that a copy of the letter be sent to M.P.P. Aileen Carroll and M.P. Patrick Brown and area municipalities potentially affected by this review. (Item for Discussion, 6.3, September 14, 2009) (File: S00)