Cheryl Gallant, MP, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, is pleased to confirm that recently announced federal funding will support more than 100 family medicine residents to receive training and provide medical services in remote and rural communities across Canada.
“With this recent announcement, I am pleased to thank Pembroke Doctor A.Y.Eng for taking the time to come to Ottawa and meet with the Minister of Health on this issue, and to all the constituents who took the time to complete the questionaires I sent out asking for their input regarding the critical doctor shortage in Renfrew County,” said Cheryl Gallant, MP.
Federal funding will support partnerships in Ontario, to provide training for family medicine residents, some with a focus on enhanced skills in emergency and acute care. Funding will be used to provide approximately 60 additional third-year training positions in emergency medicine or enhanced skills such as obstetrics or mental health over four years.
“Strengthening health care with more physicians for Canadians is a priority for the Harper Government,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “We are working with the provinces and territories to introduce additional residencies with a particular focus on doctors for rural areas and family medicines.”
The Province will work with the Ontario-based Faculties of Medicine to carry out this project, which will provide selected Ontario family medicine residents with the skills needed to provide comprehensive integrated family medicine services, including those in emergency medicine, to better meet the needs of select communities.
“I am optimistic that the province will finally recognize our acute doctor shortage and send some of these family medicine residents to our area,” stated MP Gallant. “From Arnprior to Deep River, Eganville to Barry’s Bay, the need is great. The new Ottawa Valley Health and Wellness Centre located next to the Pembroke Regional Hospital have already been in contact with my office about one of these residents joining their family health team.”
Emergency medicine residents will receive training in remote and rural communities. Training in enhanced skills will support comprehensive family practice and focus on areas such as anaesthesia, obstetrics, palliative care, or mental health and addictions. “The federal government has done its part, now it is up to the province,” concluded Cheryl Gallant, MP.