Doctor shortage, mental health discussed at MPP roundtable
The family doctor shortage, mental health and rural health care were among the issues discussed at a Feb. 22 policy roundtable organized by Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece.
“We are fortunate to have so many dedicated health care professionals in Perth-Wellington,” said Pettapiece.
“It’s great that so many of them took the time to participate in our discussion, and I truly appreciate their advice.”
Approximately 30 people involved in local health care delivery attended the policy discussion held at the Stratford Rotary Complex.
Pettapiece welcomed MPP Christine Elliott to the event to hear directly from local health care leaders. Elliott, the MPP for Whitby-Oshawa, serves as deputy leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative caucus and critic to the minister of health.
On the doctor shortage, roundtable participants suggested encouraging or requiring new doctors to practice in under-serviced areas, making better use of technology to attract doctors, improving health care infrastructure, and addressing work/life balance issues, among other ideas.
The policy roundtable was one of several meetings Pettapiece and Elliott attended over the afternoon. Earlier they met with local hospital officials and doctor recruiters to discuss the shortage of family physicians. They also toured Louise Marshall Hospital in Mount Forest, where they discussed the hospital’s planned emergency department expansion, among other issues.
Elliott was impressed with what she heard.
The MPPs also discussed the recently released PC policy white paper, Paths to Prosperity: A Healthier Ontario.
