The COFPS Declares Code ORANGE!

TORONTO, May 15, 2012 /CNW/ - Dr. Douglas Mark, President of the Coalition of Family Physicians and Specialists of Ontario, announced that it is time to call the situation in Ontario a serious threat to the medical profession and the people we serve. Today, Ontario's independent voice of physicians set its Practice Advisory level at orange, which states that the medical practice environment in Ontario is under severe strain, and that planning for the future is virtually impossible due to system instability.  Physicians should carefully consider the wisdom of capital investments in their practices and the commitment to other long-term financial liabilities including leases etc.  Physicians should explore options in more hospitable practice jurisdictions.

"Since the beginning of Medicare, nowhere across Canada have physicians been under such disgraceful public attack by its provincial government", announced Dr. Mark. He continued, "In addition, no other province has laws that gives it the power to unilaterally alter physician funding at will as is the case here in Ontario."

It is the Coalition's understanding that the province has several severe cuts to physician funding on the negotiating table that the Ontario Medical Association rightly walked away from. These cuts will force physicians into drastic measures in their practices. "All physicians from family doctors, specialists, and even new medical school graduates will find Ontario to be a hostile place to practice medicine," Dr. Mark continued. Lastly, he stated, "It is clear that Ontario has become a province that does not welcome physicians and we have set our practice advisory level to orange accordingly.  Above all else, the McGuinty government's actions will undoubtedly result in reductions in access to medical care, more people without family physicians, and longer wait times to see specialists, for diagnostic testing, and to have surgery.  I strongly urge the Ontario government to reverse its unprecedented, unilateral actions and to get back to negotiating a fair deal with Ontario physicians that won't jeopardize both our profession and the care our patients deserve".

BACKGROUNDER
Description of Practice Advisory Codes

RED
The Medical Practice environment in Ontario is untenable.

• Comprehensive continuing care should be abandoned for episodic care.
• All physicians should actively pursue other practice jurisdictions.

ORANGE
The Medical Practice environment in Ontario is under severe strain. Planning for the future is virtually impossible due to system instability.

• Physicians should carefully consider the wisdom of capital investments in their practices and the commitment to other long-term financial liabilities including leases etc.
• Physicians should explore options in more hospitable practice jurisdictions.

YELLOW
The Medical Practice environment in Ontario is under moderate strain.

• Physicians should prepare themselves for further deterioration in the ability to meet expectations in service provision as a function of decreasing resources available to them.
• Non-OHIP revenue streams of income should be maximized.

GREEN
The Medical Practice environment in Ontario is stable and thriving.

• Physicians should continue to be vigilant for any changes that may affect the sustainability of their Medical Practice.

Contact:
Michelle Regnier-Davies
Executive Director
[email protected]
[phone]