It’s been a long time coming, but doctors in the Kenora area now have a new agreement with the province.
It’s called the Rural Generalist Council Care model.
Dr. Jilly Retson says the model will make it easier to recruit and keep physicians.
“It’s recruitable enough that physicians will come to offload the other ones (doctors),” Retson said following a press conference to announce the new model.
“The fact a doctor is not going to have to work two or three full-time equivalents (jobs) they will be able to work a lot less. Just simplifying and updating remuneration so it’s going to be a daily stipend now, or an hourly rate as opposed to a very complicated formula.”
Retson believes the Rural Generalist model checks the boxes of a number of issues they have been raising over the past decade.
“It’s acknowledging the different areas of work. It’s acknowledging the balancing of remuneration that needs to happen across service areas, to make the less desirable work, more desirable. To help draw physicians into areas of health equity.”
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Greg Rickford was on hand for the announcement and is praising the initiative.
“This model checks all the boxes for tailor-made healthcare for our region: a system that addresses challenges like physician services, emergency room services, surrounding community-based services to relieve pressures in Kenora to name a few.”
“This initiative is a testament to the resilience and determination of Northwestern Ontario communities, and I am proud to stand with them in building a stronger future for rural healthcare.”
Lorraine Cobiness is president of the board of directors of the Kenora Chiefs Advisory and says the new Rural Generalist model will improve health care for Indigenous people.
“We have for a long time had to navigate systematic mindsets that create barriers and inequity for First Nations people and their access to adequate health care. This initiative will allow our people to not only have better access in town, it will also ensure wrap around delivery in the communities, that will work in collaboration with our traditional healers and sacred medicines.”
Dr. Retson is co-chair of the All Nations Health Partners Ontario Health Team Clinical Advisory Committee and says they have been working on the Rural Generalist concept for the past three years, and it will start up on April 1st.
She adds they have a three-year agreement with the Ministry of Health and will be able to trouble-shoot any issues during that time.
