Canada’s Health Minister made a day-long visit to Owen Sound Thursday.
Leona Aglukkaq spent the day finding out about health care programs and needs in this region.
She says the purpose of her visit was to see how local programs funded by her department, including a prenatal health program are operating.
She says it’s nice to see results and feedback and to see how programs are benefitting individuals and to find out if any improvements are needed.
The minister attended a luncheon at St. Mary’s Parish Hall in support of doctor recruitment efforts.
She says every jurisdiction is challenged when it comes to recruiting doctors and nurses, and she says a review process will begin this year to make it easier for nurses to move from once province to another, for Canadian doctors to return here to practice, and for foreign-trained doctors to set up shop in Canada.
As for federal help towards a new hospital in Markdale, the Minister says that’s up to the province.
She says the province sets its health spending priorities using the transfer payments it gets from Ottawa.
Aglukkaq says increased funding was announced in this year’s federal budget for telehealth and to develop electronic health records for patients in communities of all sizes.
The minister was also meeting with local doctors and was to attend MP Larry Miller’s annual fundraising gala last evening.
Municipal Leaders attended the doctor recruitment luncheon.
Bruce County Warden Bill Goetz says the event gave the opportunity to let the minister know that rural Canada is in dire straits when it comes to attracting and keeping doctors.
Grey County Warden Kevin Eccles was pleased with the minister’s commitment to electronic health.
He saysit will help patients get looked after in their communities, without having to travel elsewhere for medical attention.
