As rural ERs close, doctors seek election promises for pan-Canadian licensing
Doctors and residents in northern and rural Manitoba are sounding the alarm on the state of health care in their communities, calling for urgent attention from all federal parties in this year’s election. With emergency rooms closing and patients being forced to travel longer distances for care, the need for action is becoming increasingly dire.
One such community that has been impacted by the closure of its local emergency room is Morris, located 60 kilometers south of Winnipeg. Eileen Klassen, a 78-year-old resident of Morris, vividly recalls the day the ER closed indefinitely in September 2023. She describes the sense of helplessness that washes over individuals in need of urgent medical attention when they arrive at the hospital only to find a sign stating “The emergency’s closed.” Klassen, who had a stroke after the closure, was fortunate to survive after being transported to Boundary Trails Health Centre, 45 kilometers away. However, her experience highlights the risks and challenges faced by residents in rural areas when access to emergency care is limited.
Megan Adams, another resident of Morris, shares her concerns about the impact of the ER closure on her family. As a mother of a child with allergies and a personal history of multiple sclerosis, she emphasizes the stress and anxiety of not having immediate access to emergency services in times of need. Adams stresses the importance of prioritizing accessibility to health care in this federal election, urging political parties to address the growing crisis in rural health care.
Doctors Manitoba reports alarming statistics on physician shortages in the province, ranking second last in doctors per capita and last in family doctors among all provinces. In northern and rural Manitoba, the ratio of physicians to residents is even lower, further exacerbating the strain on local health care systems. The Society of Rural Physicians of Canada is calling for a national rural health workforce strategy to address these shortages, including funding for skills training programs and the implementation of a national licensing system to facilitate physician mobility across the country.
Dr. Nichelle Desilets, a family doctor in Neepawa, stresses the need for a long-term solution to attract and retain doctors in rural areas. She highlights the challenges faced by rural physicians, who often require specialized skills in various medical fields to meet the diverse needs of their communities. Desilets emphasizes the importance of making health care a top priority in this election, urging political leaders to invest in rural health care infrastructure and workforce development.
Dr. Gavin Parker, president of the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada, echoes these sentiments, calling for a permanent national skills training program and a comprehensive rural health workforce strategy. He emphasizes the need for pan-Canadian licensing to streamline administrative processes for doctors practicing in different jurisdictions. Dr. Sarah Newbery, a rural generalist family doctor in Marathon, Ontario, warns that without a cohesive strategy, rural health care will continue to deteriorate, leading to burnout among medical professionals and longer wait times for patients.
As efforts continue to recruit and retain rural doctors in Manitoba, residents like Eileen Klassen remain hopeful for the future of health care in their communities. With ongoing initiatives to reopen the Morris hospital ER and support rural health services, there is a glimmer of hope for improved access to care in rural towns. The upcoming federal election presents an opportunity for political parties to address the pressing issues facing rural health care and ensure that all Canadians have equitable access to quality medical services.
