Columnists
Care chaos
It doesn’t happen very often but it’s, Thursday the 19th as I’m writing this column. I usually have a pile of notes and on Sundays I sit down with my cup of Joe, CBS Sunday Morning on the telly and pull everything together. But I’ll be stuffed inside an MRI tunnel on Sunday and I don’t think I can bring my laptop and notes in with me. As many of you know, I have a big ole, inoperable tumour. I can honestly say that hardly a day goes by when I don’t think about it. Hardly a day goes by when I am not completely and utterly grateful for the wonderful healthcare professionals who have helped me on this journey. And, hardly a day goes by when I’m not beholden to Ontario’s healthcare system. Yes, I know Ontario Health isn’t perfect and likely a few deficits, in the system. But as LOML has often said, “We’ve had several significant health crises in our family and we still have a roof over our heads and are not in debt because of the health care provided to us.”
That being said, we do have loads of healthcare system issues. Doug Ford is talking the talk about funding private-for-profit clinics to deliver surgeries and diagnostic services that are already covered by OHIP. Unwisely, rather than choosing to properly fund to public clinics and hospitals, he’s providing $155 million of our health care dollars to fund private centres. The Premier told us it will reduce wait times and increase efficiency. Most of the users of public health care in Ontario are worried privatization will draw resources away from the public. Essentially, Ontario taxpayers will pay for those millions, but most of us can’t afford to utilize the services of the privatized health care. Doug’s health care ideas look a whole lot more like the American “care for profit” system and it fails to address the primary health care crisis in this province. As users of Ontario’s healthcare system, we can help make it more viable by being proactive and letting our MPPs know how we feel about funding for private clinics.
As users, we can also be more aware of the strain we put on the system when we head for the emergency department for every sneeze, sniffle and scratch. Pink eye, a cough without a fever, a minor sore throat, a cold, prescription refills and minor cuts are, for the most part, non-urgent and can lead to delayed care for critical patients. The ER is not a primary care clinic, even if you don’t have a primary care physician. If you do have a primary care physician, make an appointment with them for your non-urgent health care issues. If you don’t have a primary care physician and you feel your concern might be minor, but you need some guidance, call Telehealth at 811 to speak with a Registered Nurse or visit an Urgent Care Clinic. Our local Community Clinic (princeedwardfht.com/community-clinic) is put on by the Prince Edward Family Health Team. Please don’t use the ER just because you feel it’s more convenient. Emergency Rooms are for serious injuries or illnesses that could be life threatening or life-altering. Don’t forget, pharmacists can offer help for minor skin conditions, pink eye and UTIs.
If you don’t like the current state of Ontario’s healthcare system, let your MPP know by emailing that person with your concerns. Complaining on a social media platform is a bit like talking to a wall and stirs up a lot of “comment chaos”. I’m sure Tyler Allsopp and Doug Ford would love to hear from you!
Tyler Allsopp is the Member of Provincial Parliament for the Bay of Quinte riding and can be reached by phone at: 613.962.1144 or by email at: tyler.allsopp@pc.ola.org
Doug Ford can be reached at: doug.fordco@pc.ola.org or 416.745.2859
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