The Grey Bruce Health Coalition is calling for the province to take action to ensure the continuation of crucial cancer service in Owen Sound.
The coalition's call to action comes in support of concerns raised by resident Pat Kelly, who filed a complaint with the Ontario Ombudsman, asking for intervention to help restore oncologist staffing at Brightshores Cancer Centre in Owen Sound.
In a statement, Brightshores Vice President of Clinical Programs and Quality Beth Morris said they are actively recruiting a third full-time medical oncologist, and have been able to secure a part-time oncologist, allowing them to no longer redirect cancer patients to partner hospitals.
"This milestone reflects our commitment to keeping care close to home and the need for a permanent third Medical Oncologist," read the statement. "Recruitment for specialized physicians remains challenging due to national shortages, but Brightshores continues to attract strong interest from candidates across Canada and internationally. We are currently in active discussions with multiple applicants and remain focused and proactive in securing the right permanent physician to support our cancer program."
Brenda Scott, Chair of the Grey Bruce Health Coalition, says with only two full-time oncologists on staff for over a year, they have concerns over the future of cancer treatment close to home.
"The issue in recruiting oncologists is something that filters back into so many different areas in terms of care, accessibility and timing. The vacancies there have been going on for quite a while and it affects accessibility, not just for Pat (Kelly), but for everyone in the area," she said.
The Grey Bruce Health Coalition says the province needs to take strides to ensure residents don't lose access to crucial cancer services.
Scott pointed to the recent Auditor General's report, saying the Ontario government could be doing more to help recruitment, particularly in rural areas.
"Every other province, apparently, has a provincial recruitment agency working with their government," said Scott. "In Ontario, we're the only ones that don't have that, so what happens is communities have to compete with each other: that's never healthy. Perhaps what we need is to ask the government why we don't have a provincial recruitment group?"
Scott says they're asking for area residents to apply some political pressure to ensure a reduction in services doesn't happen again.
"We've got a call to action, obviously to the provincial government, they're responsible for the provision of healthcare in our area. We're asking people that do have any concerns to contact MPP Paul Vickers or MP Alex Ruff. And we're asking people to write the Minister of Health directly and Doug Ford," she said.
The coalition is also offering a platform for anyone who is looking to share their stories of their dealings with the healthcare system.
The GBHC will be holding town hall meetings in the new year to discuss the issue of physician recruitment in the region, along with other healthcare topics.
Dates for the town halls have not been set. Check back with the GBHC in January for more info.
