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Recruitment efforts intensify as physician shortage impacts central Ontario

CTV News

16-06-2025

Health
CTV News

Recruitment efforts intensify as physician shortage impacts central Ontario

As Orillia and surrounding communities continue to see growth, so does the need for family doctors. Melanie Delion, a physician recruiter for Orillia Lake Country Physician Recruitment (OLCPR) said the town is experiencing a growing need for comprehensive primary care physicians. A significant portion of the town is over the age of 55. 'We're estimating a shortage of about 15 to 17 family physicians for our community,' said Delion. 'Currently, according to our patient enrollment model data from the Ministry of Health, there's approximately 20,000 people unattached from a physician.' To help combat the doctor and nurse shortage, the province announced that they would expedite the process for U.S. doctors and nurses to work in the province. Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Orillia, Ont. on June 16, 2025. (CTV NEWS / Luke Simard) This would allow nurses to work in Canada before registering with the regulatory college. While this is welcoming news, there are concerns. Dr. Stephan Morris left the country to attend medical school in Australia. Eight years later after completing his fellowship and practicing, he made the decision to come home and work in the community he grew up in. Dr. Morris soon discovered the hurdles he would have to overcome to practice in his hometown. 'The primary hurdles are around licensing,' said Dr. Morris. 'The licensing process is very arduous, and expensive. It has taken me as a prepared candidate, over four months to become licensed to the point where I could work.' Dr. Morris added that the licensing process could take upwards of five months. 'You have to get licensed across three different legislative bodies,' said Dr. Morris. 'You have to get a billing number and all sorts of different things, so I'm actually at the end of that now and can work now, it's been about five months.' While Morris' initial reaction was positive to the news about American doctors, he believes the scope of where doctors are moving from should expand. 'We want to make sure that we can get people who also should be here, like Australians and people from Ireland to the UK, just as easily and just as practice ready, to get here as well,' he continued. While doctors, nurses, and physicians go through the process of becoming registered, the need for medical professionals will continue to climb. 'Twenty per cent of our physician population are over the age of 60 and they care for approximately 8,500 patients currently,' said Delion. 'So, there's approximately, 640 physicians in central Ontario that are over the age of 60, caring for about 875,000 patients.' Dr. Stephan Morris Dr. Stephan Morris left the country to attend medical school in Australia. Eight years later after completing his fellowship and practicing, he made the decision to come home and work in the community he grew up in, Orillia Ont. on June 16, 2025. (CTV NEWS / Luke Simard) Delion recruits' physicians for OLCPR including Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital, she said its competitive to recruit physicians across the country and are taking proactive steps to recruit more to central Ontario. 'We have formalized Central Ontario Physician Recruitment Alliance, which is an alliance across our region that includes Midland, Muskoka, Orangeville, Alliston and Clearview as well as ourselves,' said Delion. 'And we work with the candidate collaboratively.' The town has set aside $500,000 for The Orillia and Lake Country Physician Recruitment if they provide a business plan and quarterly updates. The money will go directly towards the recruitment of bringing physicians to the region. 'We can help you if you're coming from another country, we can help you with some of those licensing fees, we can help you out to entice you to roster patients,' said Delion. 'That is the goal with this, our hope is that we can recruit five to eight family physicians. Ideally, attaching up to 9,600 patients.' Dr. Morris has completed the process to become a registered physician and now works at Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital. He hopes to help future physicians going through the process. 'You don't want to have to see people do that and you want to always be bringing doctors, nurses, whoever to your community,' said Dr. Morris. 'So, we should work together once you're through that to get those barriers down.' Dr. Morris plans to open his own family practice in Orillia by the end of the year.

Ontario government starts planning for Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital

Yahoo

26-05-2025

Health
Yahoo

Ontario government starts planning for Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital

Canada's Ontario government has initiated the planning process for the construction of the Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital redevelopment. This development is part of the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, aiming to provide more convenient healthcare services to families in Orillia, Simcoe County, and surrounding communities. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said: 'Our government's nearly C$60bn ($43.78bn) plan to build and upgrade more than 50 hospitals is delivering on our commitment to provide the people of Ontario with high-quality health care close to home.' The allocated fund will support the early planning for the project at a new location, enabling the facility to enhance its services and fulfil the community's needs into the future. The new hospital is expected to feature modern infrastructure to accommodate increased patient volumes and expanded access to core services, encompassing critical care and additional inpatient beds. It will also focus on improved infection prevention and control measures bolstering patient safety. The Ministry of Health is collaborating with Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital to determine the specifics of the project, such as bed numbers and the required square footage. With the completion of the planning phase, the next steps include completing the project's tendering and awarding the construction contract. A construction schedule will be established once these phases are completed. Simcoe North Member of Provincial Parliament Jill Dunlop said: 'Not only will this hospital get families in Orillia and surrounding areas access to high-quality health care close to home, it will also strengthen our region's medical education. 'The new hospital location will provide a dynamic environment where medical students can train, grow and thrive, right here in Central Ontario.' The Ontario government, via its Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care initiative, seeks to expand and modernise the province's hospitals to provide easier access to healthcare for people of all ages. Earlier in the month, the government reinstated the More Convenient Care Act, continuing its strategy to improve the province's healthcare system. "Ontario government starts planning for Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data