family doctors

A black and white picture of a stethoscope hanging on a wall.

Quebec considering changes to way patients are assigned family doctors

October 15, 2024 by Caleb Nickerson

Proposed changes to the way that family doctors are assigned is causing concern throughout Quebec, including in the Pontiac.

Last week, Radio-Canada reported that Quebec was considering a change in how patients were assigned to see family doctors, prioritizing those with serious medical issues. If enacted, the change would mean that patients without serious health issues, even if they currently have a family doctor, would have to go through a version of the the Guichet d’accès à la première ligne (GAP), the province’s portal for primary care. What such a change would entail is the subject of a report released October 3 by Quebec’s health and social services institute (INESSS).

Dr. John Wootton, a long-time GP in Pontiac and former head of the area’s family medicine group, explained that the proposed change is part of a broader discussion about how to best provide front-line health services to Quebecers. He said that, if enacted, it would require a large culture change, for both doctors and patients.

Pontiac MNA André Fortin, who also serves as the opposition critic for health, said that he was strongly opposed to the health minister’s proposal.

A light grey 2 story office building with a Canadian flag flying in front of it against a blue sky. There is a sign in front of the building saying Port Hope Community Health Centre and Northumberland Community Care, 99 Toronto Road.

New Port Hope walk-in clinic to open this Saturday

August 16, 2024 by Jeff Gard

For the first time since 2020, medical service will return to the Port Hope area.

The Port Hope Medical Walk-in Clinic will have a soft launch this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 99 Toronto Road. The clinic is for Northumberland residents who do not currently have a family doctor or nurse practitioner.

The initiative was developed by Port Hope council and spearheaded by Mayor Olena Hankivsky and Councillor Les Andrews before Northumberland County agreed to serve as the nominal lessee for the space.

CFWN spoke with Mayor Hankivsky, who is also the deputy warden for County council.

Coun. Jeff McLaren stands in city council chambers, speaking to the rest of council.

Kingston city council rejects proposal to convert Queen Mary Road space into family medicine clinic

June 7, 2024 by Christena Lawrie

At their meeting on Tuesday, Kingston city council voted against a motion to convert 309 Queen Mary Rd. into a family medicine and diagnostic center.

The city-owned property at 309 Queen Mary Rd. is currently on track to include space transitional housing, along with a list of other services and supports.

Coun. Jeff McLaren spearheaded the idea to turn the entire building into a “one-stop shop” medical facility offering family medicine, diagnostic clinics, and a host of other healthcare services. The proposal gained significant traction in the community surrounding the site.

But a main concern with the proposal was the exclusion of transitional housing units.

Coun. Conny Glenn stated, “Health is everything. And that begins with finding a place to live, finding a place to call home.”

The motion was voted down 11-2, with Couns. Lisa Osanic and McLaren in the minority.

The city is accepting feedback and providing updates on Get Involved Kingston.

Four councillors sit in front of their mics at Kingston city hall.

City council demands provincial, federal governments ‘do something for once’ about Kingston’s healthcare crisis

March 11, 2024 by Christena Lawrie

Kingston city council passed a motion at their last meeting to request action from higher levels of government to address Kingston’s healthcare crisis.

The motion brought forward by Coun. Tozzo included various requests, including adequate support from the Province of Ontario, measures to prevent municipalities from competing against each other for physicians, and that Kingston be designated as an area of high physician need.

This motion comes at a crucial time, with over 30,000 community members without a family doctor and healthcare workers experiencing burnout and lacking confidence in the system.

With frustration, council discussed the severity of the issue, exasperated with the lack of support from higher levels of government and urging them to step up.

“We are constantly, constantly trying to fill the cracks in the systems from other levels of government,” stated Coun. Ridge.

The motion passed with a vote of 11-1, and a copy is to be sent along to local MPs, MPPs and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

Quebec considering changes to way patients are assigned family doctors

New Port Hope walk-in clinic to open this Saturday

Kingston city council rejects proposal to convert Queen Mary Road space into family medicine clinic

City council demands provincial, federal governments ‘do something for once’ about Kingston’s healthcare crisis

Some rights reserved © 2024 - frequencynews.ca

Developed and hosted by Natiotech