For Immediate Release
December 13, 2004

We need more doctors

Today, Haliburton-Victoria-Brock MPP, Laurie Scott asked the Minister of Health about the local shortage of family physicians.

"Minister, the City of Kawartha Lakes is barely coping with 15 fewer doctors than it needs", said Laurie Scott. "In January a doctor in Minden is retiring and the Clinic might close - orphaning thousands more patients."

Laurie reminded the Minister that Haliburton-Victoria-Brock riding has the second highest population of seniors in the province.

"These frail and elderly people have the highest needs for health care but you have done nothing to help them"

Haliburton-Victoria-Brock has the second highest percentage of Seniors in the province, and the doctor shortage has had a serious impact on them. When people are left without a family doctor, sadly, they often have to turn to local hospitals to help them with their health care needs.

This is all happening at a time when the government has asked our local hospitals to make cutbacks that will hurt their ability to provide the care that people need.

Reacting to the Minister's answer to her question, Laurie said "I hope the Minister got the message that our communities are facing a critical doctor shortage and action is needed now.”

-30-