Ontario's Naturopathic Doctors Respond to Drummond Report

TORONTO, Feb. 15, 2012 /CNW/ - The Drummond Report establishes that new approaches are needed, particularly around prevention, to ensure that Ontario's health care system is sustainable.

Ontario's 1200 regulated Naturopathic Doctors are already providing the kind of health care that Drummond says is necessary. Naturopathic Doctors help keep patients healthy through our unique expertise in addressing preventable risk factors, managing or even reversing chronic disease, lowering reliance on expensive pharmaceuticals, and more. As primary care providers, Naturopathic Doctors are already helping to keep patients from having to visit an ER, and can do more.

The Commission report says that more of a focus on prevention will save precious health care dollars, and create a healthier Ontario.  

"Drummond recognizes that much more can be done to achieve what we all want, which is to have good health, and save health care dollars in the process" said Elias Markou, ND, Chair of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors. "A major focus of naturopathic care is to address risk factors to help prevent the onset of cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. We treat the root cause of health conditions that otherwise may place major demands on the public health care system."

The new Naturopathy Act is intended to modernize the regulation of Naturopathic Doctors, and remove current barriers to Ontario's Naturopathic Doctors using their full training and capability.  Health Minister Deb Matthews has said she recognizes the importance of all health professions "contributing their full potential to the benefit of patients."

About the OAND

The Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND) represents regulated Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario. Naturopathic Doctors are highly educated primary care providers who integrate standard medical diagnostics with a broad range of natural therapies. Most extended health care insurance programs cover the cost of seeing an ND.

For more information about the OAND, visit our web site www.oand.org

or to set up interviews with Naturopathic Doctors please contact:

Ronda Parkes, Director of Marketing Phone: [phone] ext 228 Email: [email protected]