A Breakthrough for Healthcare in Orleans: More Family Doctors on the Horizon!

The ongoing shortage of family doctors in Ontario is a challenge felt deeply by our community in Orleans, with millions of residents left without a primary care provider. At Centrum Pharmacy, we have been working tirelessly to address this issue by recruiting and sponsoring physicians to practice in our community. We are incredibly proud to have helped connect thousands of residents with a family doctor through our efforts, having recruited an impressive twelve physicians to the Orleans community over the last 15 years.

We are thrilled to see that our advocacy for a more robust healthcare system is being met with action at the provincial level. The proposed new compensation deal between the Ontario government and the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) is a positive step forward that we believe will significantly help to retain and recruit family doctors in the province.

What the New Deal Means for Family Doctors and Patients

The new compensation model, known as FHO+, is designed to make comprehensive family medicine a more attractive career path. The proposed changes, which are expected to impact around 6,500 family physicians, directly address some of the biggest pain points in the profession:

• Compensating for Administrative Work: The deal would allow doctors to bill for administrative tasks that are currently unpaid, such as filling out forms, charting, and reviewing test results. These tasks can take up to 19 hours of a doctor’s week, and getting paid for this work will help reduce burnout and improve a doctor’s quality of life.
• Ending “Negation”: The proposed deal would end the practice of financially penalizing a family doctor when their patient seeks non-emergency care at a walk-in clinic or emergency department. This change promotes better patient care and reduces penalties for doctors.
• Incentivizing New Patients: The FHO+ model is structured to incentivize enrolling new patients, which is a crucial step in fulfilling the government’s promise to connect every Ontarian with a family doctor or primary care team by 2029.

This deal is an encouraging development that aligns with our mission to improve access to healthcare in Orleans. We applaud both the government and the OMA for their work in reaching an agreement that will help more residents find the care they need.

Your Partner in Health

At Centrum Pharmacy, our commitment goes beyond dispensing medication. We are your partner in navigating the healthcare system. Our efforts to recruit family doctors are a testament to our dedication to the Orleans community. We are excited about the potential of the new FHO+ model to further support our ongoing work and to bring even more physicians to our community, ensuring that thousands more residents can find the care they need.

Disclaimer: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider first. Full Disclaimer.