Statement from Ontario PC Health Critic Jeff Yurek regarding Family Doctor Week 2015

“On behalf of the Ontario PC Caucus, I would like to commend Ontario’s family doctors for their dedication to their patients and the delivery of quality health care services throughout all parts of the province.

Family physicians are a critical component of the health care system.  They are frequently the first touchpoint for patients needing care and are the gatekeeper to access for many other health care services, working hard throughout to do what’s in the best interest of their patients.

Celebrating Family Doctor Week is a good reminder of the importance of having a family doctor.  Unfortunately, 800,000 Ontarians are currently without a family doctor, meaning many  are not having their health care needs appropriately met. Ontario is blessed with dedicated and selfless family doctors, but they are fighting an uphill battle; physician resources are tapped and they are facing the growing burden of an aging population requiring more complex care – an additional 140,000 patients enter into our health care system every year. As a result, less than half of Ontarians are able to see their primary care provider within 24 hours of getting sick, and close to a quarter of Ontarians are unable to speak with someone on the phone on the same day they call their providers’ office.

Ontario’s physicians deserve a government which invests in health care services, not one that cuts physician services by more than $800 million in 2015 alone.

The Ontario PC Caucus values the important work of Ontario’s family doctors, and is committed to continuing our advocacy on their behalf. We wish all family physicians a wonderful Family Doctor Week, and thank them once again for their dedication in putting patients first.”