Doctor shortage not unique to Rainy River

News Release
Sarah Campbell, MPP

For the second time in less than a week Sarah Campbell, MPP for Kenora-Rainy River, has asked the minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deb Matthews, to outline her plan to ensure primary and emergency healthcare services are provided to rural and northern communities.
This morning, December 8, Campbell asked the minister why her government is refusing to sign off on a plan by the Ear Falls Community Healthcare Centre that would allow it to continue to fully service its community after it loses its only full-time physician on Dec. 31.
“Ear Falls is doing everything they can to find a doctor, and nearby doctors are trying to help but the Ministry will not return the town’s calls or e-mails. What is this government doing to ensure that the people of Ear Falls don’t lose their only doctor and why will the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care not return the clinic’s calls or e-mails?” asked Campbell.
On December 5, Campbell rose to ask the minister what she would do to help the community of Rainy River, another community that is facing a potential closure due to doctor shortages.
With no long-term solution in sight for either community, Campbell once again stated that the minister needs to come up with a concrete strategy to address doctor shortages as well as ER and health centre closures across the north and rural Ontario.
“To fix the problem with stopgap measures is not a solution. People in my riding and in ridings across the province want to know not only that the minister is aware of the situation but that she and her staff are busy working on permanent and sustainable solutions to these dire situations.”