Hundreds of individuals in search of a family doctor endured lengthy queues on Saturday morning at a health facility in the west end of Ottawa. The Active Care clinic in Kanata made an appeal for new patients, aiming to enroll 400 to 600 individuals, with some being assigned a physician assistant (PA), as mentioned by a clinic medical secretary.
Alison Boughey, who waited for nearly four hours, shared her experience of being without a family doctor for five years after her previous one relocated to Trenton, Ontario. This situation was common among others in the queue who had faced challenges in finding a family physician in the city.
The doctor shortage issue in Ontario has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) highlighted that over 2.5 million Ontarians are currently without access to a family physician. Despite recent investments in primary care, the demand for healthcare services surpasses the available resources, as per the OMA.
Statistics from an OMA factsheet indicate that Ontario has 2.8 physicians per 1,000 people, with a significant portion considering retirement. Rijwal Chirammal, whose family doctor is closing his practice, expressed concerns about the limited options available during this doctor shortage crisis.
The Active Care clinic in Kanata, according to Belinda Manuel, the clinic secretary, currently operates with approximately eight physicians and three PAs. PAs collaborate with physicians to enhance patient care access and reduce wait times by performing various medical tasks, excluding prescribing narcotics.
Individuals like Marlene Vieira, who relocated to Ottawa from Haliburton Highlands, shared their challenges in securing a family doctor, emphasizing the prevailing circumstances. Despite the difficulties, individuals like Vieira and Boughey remained hopeful for a resolution to their healthcare needs.
The Active Care clinic’s registration process on Saturday attracted a significant turnout, with individuals lining up early in the morning in the hopes of securing a new healthcare provider. The clinic’s efforts to address the community’s healthcare needs were evident as people eagerly awaited their turn for medical assistance.