OTTAWA, Dec. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - A roundtable discussion today in Toronto chaired by the federal health minister to discuss how to address the challenges facing seniors is a very welcome development in the context of a national strategy, says Dr. Chris Simpson, President of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).
"We're grateful Ottawa is now giving seniors health care the urgent attention it deserves at a national level. Fixing seniors care will go a long way in fixing the entire health system. Furthermore, a national strategy will require all levels of government to take a broad view from preventing illness, to providing care at home and in the latter stages of life."
The CMA Board of Directors decided in December 2013 to make the need for a national seniors strategy a priority in the next federal election. Since then the CMA has been working with numerous stakeholders to make the need for such a strategy a ballot issue and to persuade all political parties to include a seniors strategy in their election platforms.
The CMA is asking federal political parties to commit to calling a First Ministers' Conference on seniors care within six months of the 2015 federal election and begin the process of working with all levels of government and key stakeholders and ultimately implementing a national seniors strategy in 2019, Dr. Simpson said.
"Future generations of Canadians will look back at this moment in time and either recognize the leadership exercised by our elected in this nation-building project or will be very critical of the lack of vision in ensuring a quality of life and care for our ageing population. Let's not disappoint them.
Dr. Simpson urged Minister Ambrose to continue her initiative in the context of a national seniors strategy and assured her of CMA's support towards achieving this objective.
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is the national voice of Canadian physicians. Founded in 1867, the CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing more than 80,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 60 national medical organizations. CMA's mission is helping physicians care for patients. The CMA will be the leader in engaging and serving physicians and be the national voice for the highest standards for health and health care.
SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association
Dominique Jolicoeur, Communications Officer, Email [email protected], Tel: 613-731-8610 ext. 2038, Cell: 613-809 -5669
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