A delegation from the North Perth Healthcare Action Coalition was heard January 8 at North Perth Council.
Jessica McLean, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, says the coalition is a grassroots movement of local business, community and healthcare leaders who are concerned about the future of local healthcare. McLean says the coalition previously presented a report in December.
"Council had directed staff to follow up on some of the items that were included in their presentation, which included updating our strategic plan to highlight healthcare as a key priority," McLean explained.
McLean says next steps from the most recent delegation included some work the municipality has previously done.
"This includes participating on the North Perth Physician Recruitment Committee, as well as council making an annual donation to that effort. We're also proposing the establishment of a Healthcare Recruitment Reserve in the 2024 municipal budget," added McLean. "We're also working with our North Perth Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee to work on making North Perth a community that is inclusive, welcoming and engaging. Lastly, we're advocating with our provincial leaders on local healthcare issues, and our willingness to be involved in implementing new, innovative approaches and also participating in pilot programs."
On top of that, there is another recommendation that staff are investigating now.
"In terms of the actions that were recommended by the coalition in this most recent delegation, council did direct staff to further investigate the opportunity to declare the Fisher Family Healthcare Centre here in Listowel as a municipal capital facility. So staff will be investigating that and bringing a report back to council at a later date," said McLean. "As well, the municipality will continue to collaborate with our partners at the hospital, on the recruitment committee, the Family Heath Team, as well as community groups like the Healthcare Action Coalition on our shared goal to improve healthcare access in North Perth."
McLean provided some relevant numbers from the delegation. Those include:
6 of 12 local doctors are expected to retire in the next 5 years
The expected retirements will impact over 9,000 patients
11-12 new doctors will be needed to replace the 6 retirees
These estimates to do account for the record-setting population growth experienced by North Perth in recent years
