Time to put health care in Canadians' hands: report
With a health-care system in crisis, a new report entitled Taking Back Healthcare says it's time to re-imagine health-care and put control back in the hands of the public.
The report from the non-partisan group The Public Policy Forum is co-authored by health-care experts from across Canada. It makes the case for easier access to care and expanded coverage. The authors believe better health outcomes will come, in part, by caring for health-care workers.
Along with the report, in an open letter they're calling on Canadians to demand better — reminding them, it's their health-care system. It reads in part, "Reform really starts with the expectations of Canadians, and decision-makers should work back from there."
Dr. Victoria Lee is one of the co-authors. She told CTV News the report came out at an opportune time. A national discussion about health-care is underway, as staff are burnt out, some emergency rooms have closed, and many people lack access to family doctors.
"I think there is certainly an agreement that of course, there's a lot of resources in the system. There's ways for us to better utilize resources. And if there's additional dollars, it'd be great to look at how do we enable that innovation and change agenda," Dr. Lee added.
The report makes big recommendations that won't be easy to implement and could take years. One of the ideas is to guarantee access to primary care within 30 minutes of where Canadians live or work.
Dr. Lee pointed out that given the country's expansive geography, that could mean a physical or virtual appointment. She said health-care professionals jumped into action quickly, to offer virtual options during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She added, "Now we've jump-started that area, and how do we actually move from that foundation to provide more accessible connected care whether we're in Nunavut, or whether you're in Ottawa, and I think those are some of the things that we need to work through as a system and if we commit to the same outcome, how do we deliver that?"
B.C.'S RESPONSE
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said he believed the goal of increasing access was one worth reaching for.
"And the way to do that is to keep building our primary care networks to get to of course train more doctors," he added.
B.C. has several communities with the networks which use a team-based approach to delivering front-line care.
Advocate Camille Currie, who is president of B.C. Healthcare Matters said she had concerns about how those clinics are resourced and said she'd heard from the public and medical professionals that they weren't sure how the clinics fit into the system.
"I have some concerns about how slowly primary care networks are being rolled out. I have concerns about how decisions are being made about allocations of funding and needs of communities," added Currie.
Currie said the Taking Back Healthcare report included many of the recommendations that her group is pushing for, including for Canadians to become involved in re-shaping what public health-care looks like. As for the report's recommendation that things like dental care and vision care and other allied health professions be covered, she said the focus should be on foundational changes.
"Primary care is the foundation to our entire health-care system. So before we consider any additions to the other levels above that, such as acute care or long-term care or private industries like this, we need to really make sure that we have solidified that primary care structure," Currie explained.
NATIONAL MEETING
At a meeting in February, the country's premiers and the prime minister will discuss health-care funding. Much of the discussion has centred around who pays, and how much.
Dr. Lee told CTV the report wasn't meant to influence those discussions. She said the goal was to look at the issues facing Canadian health-care.
"As a Canadian, I think all of us feel very strongly and keep our health system very close to our hearts," Dr. Lee added.
Experts and advocates hope when politicians meet, they remember the heart of the matter — patients.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.