Be Aware Health Care | March 5th, 2024

The Go-To Gift of Free Med School Tuition 

Good Morning! First up on the docket for Canadian healthcare actually has nothing to do with Canadian healthcare, but it was too incredible not to share. Dr. Ruth Gottesman, former professor and wife of Wall Street heavyweight David Gottesman, just donated $1 billion to a NY-based medical school, Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

And get this – it's all going towards covering tuition for every single student. You heard that right. Not only will this generous donation wipe out the tuition debts of current students, but it will also ensure that future generations can pursue their medical dreams without drowning in debt.

Dr. Gottesman's mission? To attract a diverse pool of talent into the medical field, especially in areas like the Bronx, where healthcare outcomes can be an uphill battle.

The phrase “Do as I say not as I do” doesn’t apply here. Let’s see more big donations like this to help bring high-quality medical talent to areas in need. And let’s do it up North.

In this week’s email:

Ontario News

1. Deal Signed: Ontario and Doctors

2. Ontario Hospital Ranked 3rd Best in the World

3. Ontario Goes Big: $1.6 Billion For Mental Health

4. Small Town Health Centre: Under Threat of Closure

5. Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones Plays the Waiting Game on Federal Pharmacare Proposal

Canada as a Whole 🇨🇦

1. 10,000 Canadians Reveal True Feelings

2. BC Ministry of Health Sets Nurse-to-Patient Ratios

Deal Signed: Ontario and Doctors 

The Ontario government and the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) just signed the final chapter of their current agreement for physician services. Ontario's doctors will receive a 2.8% compensation bump for 2023-24. In addition, the government and OMA have agreed to arbitration to lock in next year’s compensation.

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones is singing praises for Ontario's docs, emphasizing their crucial role in keeping the healthcare machine running smoothly. And over at the OMA camp, there's nothing but smiles as they express their satisfaction with the agreement, promising to keep fighting the good fight for doctors' needs. Many agree this is a step in the right direction for Ontario healthcare.

Ontario Hospital Ranked 3rd Best in the World

Toronto General Hospital (TGH), part of University Health Network (UHN), just scored a solid third place on the global healthcare leaderboard! Rubbing shoulders with heavyweights like Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. Additionally, UHN secured a spot as a founding member of Mayo Clinic's Platform_Connect, cementing its status as a major player in the global healthcare game.

Dr. Kevin Smith, President and CEO of UHN, is giving a huge shoutout to TeamUHN for this incredible feat. More praise comes from, Dr. Brad Wouters, UHN's executive VP of Science, showing appreciation to the brilliant minds of UHN's scientists, not to mention the incredible support from donors and the University of Toronto.

These rankings aren't just handed out like candy – they're decided by a global panel of medical leaders who know their stuff. So here's to TGH, flying the flag high for Canadian healthcare on the world stage!

Ontario Goes Big: $1.6 Billion For Mental Health

A whopping $1.6 billion is headed straight to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. And if this wasn’t already clear, this isn’t just pocket change – it's a game-changer for mental health services across the province.

CAMH's has big plans for that cash, too. They're gearing up to expand their forensic mental health program, lending a helping hand to folks dealing with mental health issues who are involved in justice system. Sarah Downey, CAMH's President and CEO,has shown excitement about the bright future this investment and it’s promises for mental healthcare.

So buckle up, Ontario – with this kind of firepower behind us, we're looking at a future where mental health support is more accessible and hopeful than ever before.

Small Town Health Centre: Under Threat of Closure 

The Tay River Health Centre is facing a serious showdown after getting the funding cold shoulder. Dr. Taylor Ferrier is warning that nearly 10,000 rural patients could be left high and dry if the doors shut for good.

There’s also a glaring gap in funding between Tay River and another clinic in town – it's raising eyebrows and sparking some serious questions about fair resource distribution. With doctors potentially jumping ship and the looming threat of closure within just a few years, patients are feeling the squeeze when it comes to healthcare access.

Let's keep our fingers crossed for Tay River and the folks who rely on it for their healthcare needs and show our support whenever possible.

Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones Plays the Waiting Game on Federal Pharmacare Proposal 

Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones is playing it cool as she waits for the full scoop on the federal government's grand plan for pharmacare. This proposed universal drug coverage program, possibly including essentials like birth control and diabetes meds, sounds like a game-changer. Jones is all about making sure this new plan works with Ontario's existing drug coverage setup.

Now, about that $1.5 billion price tag? Well, don't go counting your pills just yet – that number's likely to shift as the negotiations unfolds. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles urging the province to come on board with this program, citing its critical role in managing chronic illnesses.

Diabetes Canada and Planned Parenthood Toronto are giving this plan support, seeing it as a potential lifesaver for residents drowning in healthcare costs. But wait – not everyone's sold on the idea. The Ontario Pharmacists Association thinks the plan should cast a wider net, covering all meds and targeting those who need it most.

So grab your coffee and stay tuned, Ontario – the pharmacare plot thickens.

10,000 Canadians Reveal True Feelings

The OurCare Initiative just dropped some serious truth bombs after surveying 10,000 Canadians about our healthcare system. Led by Dr. Tara Kiran, this Toronto-based research crew uncovered a landscape rife with dissatisfaction and frustration, all thanks to a shortage of family doctors.

The Facts:

• About 22% of Canadian adults lack a family doctor or nurse practitioner, with Quebec and Atlantic Canada reporting particularly limited access.

• Access to primary care is declining, with only 35% of respondents able to get urgent appointments within a day.

• The lack of access leads to increased emergency room visits, putting strain on the healthcare system.

The Solutions:

• The report emphasizes the need for more doctors and nurse practitioners to address the crisis, suggesting that increased staffing could lead to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs in the long term.

• The initiative calls on governments to accelerate the licensing of foreign-trained healthcare professionals and expand team-based primary care and virtual care services.

Bottom line? It's time for some serious investments and system tweaks to shore up our primary care game and ensure every Canadian gets the help they need, when they need it.

BC Ministry of Health Sets Nurse-to-Patient Ratios

Big news from British Columbia's Ministry of Health: they've just rolled out minimum nurse-to-patient ratios across the province, a first in Canada. These ratios, ranging from one nurse per patient in intensive care to one nurse per five patients in rehab during the day, aim to boost care standards and ease nurse workload.

Health Minister Adrian Dix is all about improved care quality, more patient time, and reduced burnout risk. And BC Nurses' Union President Adriane Gear is onboard with 1q`Athese standards, expecting a positive impact on healthcare delivery and nurse work environments.

But that's not all – the ministry's putting their money where their mouth is, allocating a hefty $237.6 million to support these ratios. From tuition credits for nursing students to signing bonuses for remote-area nurses, they're pulling out all the stops to recruit, retain, and train nurses.