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Regional and Local Councillor, Brenda Hogg, Deputy Mayor Richmond Hill
There is a health care crisis going on and the answers will be difficult to find. I was recently contacted by a family member of an elderly woman who was hospitalized for a surgical procedure. Unfortunately she needed chemotherapy before any further medical action could take place. Imagine the stress placed upon the patient and the patient’s family when they face such a diagnosis. Add to that stress the fact that there is a critical shortage of medical oncology services (the area of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of cancer) across the province. In discussion with a physician at York Central Hospital, I am advised that as of last count there were 34 vacant positions for medical oncology across the province. In Richmond Hill we are fortunate to have one Medical Oncologist. Last year she saw 840 new patients with cancer. I am told that in order to qualify for full-time funding as a Medical Oncologist, the physician needs to see 250 patients per year and this physician is seeing more than 3 times that number of patients. Truly that is a crushing workload and makes me wonder – how can any physician withstand that pressure? And moreover, how can patients get the help that they need when the system is so overwhelmed? In the meantime, while hospitals struggle for funding from the province, municipalities have been offering some significant contributions. This situation cannot last. Municipalities have other priorities to manage. York Region’s Community Services and Housing Committee which I chair is very concerned with funding for our Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) which assists people with physical challenges to remain in their home rather than transfer to an institution. We are also concerned with funding for the Homelessness partnering Strategy and the Bill 48 Housing Trust Funds which are due to expire in March of 2009. Thank you for reading my newsletter. Any questions or concerns may be directed to me by phone: (905) 771-2498 or my home office: (905) 770-3386 or via email: bhogg@richmondhill.ca Brenda |