VICTORIA, BC, --The Canadian Medical Association, (CMA) has called on governments to come together collaboratively to address what they describe as a “collapsing health care system”.
Premiers have been meeting in person for the first time in two years, in Victoria B.C., this week. The purpose of these sessions was to change the funding structure of health care transfers.
This timely request described in CMA’s news release, shared by Katherine Smart, MD, FRCPC, President, Canadian Medical Association, not only challenged the government at all levels to address the health care crisis that is plaguing the country, but they also highlighted key issues being faced by hospitals, health care professionals, and individual Canadians. Those included the following:
- Five million Canadians do not have primary care providers.
- Emergency departments across Canada are routinely closing because of staff shortages.
- Physicians and other health care workers are burning out.
The CMA does not accept the rational that the pandemic has presented immense challenges to the health system, as the key reason for this crisis. Rather, it stated that “the reality is that cracks were visible in the system long before COVID-19.
In addition, the CMA commented about their appreciation for the Federal government recognizing the need to increase funding to support provincial and territorial health care systems, and that better mobility for health care workers is needed, but even with that acknowledgement by government, in their view, government needs to do more.
“The health care workers who have dedicated their professional lives to caring for Canadians are burning out at a rapid pace. We need to see leadership from federal, provincial and territorial governments signs of political will, collaboration and tangible solutions to give us some hope for a brighter future for the health system we all need and deserve. We encourage the federal government to swiftly meet with the provinces and territories to resolve funding issues and develop real solutions to address systemic challenges that require immediate action,” stated, Katharine Smart, MD, FRCPC
President, Canadian Medical Association.
As reactions to the current health crisis continue to make its way across the province, local and regional hospitals, health care professionals, and CEO's such as Geraldton’s District Hospital CEO, Darryl Galusha offer their own views.
In a recent interview, Geraldton District Hospital (GDH) did acknowledge that their physician staffing levels are challenging. When asked to clarify the situation as it exists for GDH, hospital CEO Darryl Galusha offered his views. “Although our physician staffing levels are very dire for both permanent and locum physicians, we have been able to fill out physician coverage gaps for the summer.”
In spite of the challenges that the current health crisis across the province is causing, Galusha also added he does not see any ER closures or service limits for Geraldton District Hospital, this summer. “Unless there are any unexpected or extenuating circumstances, there are no ER closures or service limits this summer, in Geraldton,” said Galusha.
The CEO also spoke about the fact that the hospital was exploring the use of Nurse Practitioners to ease the staffing shortage. “With the full support of our Board of Directors, we have been able exploring innovative solutions to make our hospital more attractive to physicians, including the use of Nurse Practitioners in the ER, which have reduced physician workloads and improve their work-life balance,” said Galusha.
Only time will tell if regional hospitals like that of the Township of Geraldton’s will have to face emergency department or critical care center closures in future.
In the meantime, today’s CMA’s news release asking governments to come together to address the current situation faced by so many hospitals, serves to keep the severity of this issue at the forefront. Canadians continue to witness the daily challenges faced by staffing shortages in our hospitals and health care professional burn-out.
