The Parti Québécois (PQ) says Quebec Health Minister Gaétan Barrette‘s promise to have doctors for the majority of families by the end of the year isn’t feasible.
The party argues the health minister is too close-minded in his plan and should be investing in nurse practitioners and other medical resources.
READ MORE: Quebec has the longest emergency room wait times in the western world: report
“Because the way he is asking physicians, [it] is pushing physicians, [it] means that a lot of experienced family physicians will retire,” said Diane Lamarre, PQ MNA for Taillon.
Barrette had announced Wednesday that the government is on schedule to provide 85 per cent of Quebecers with a family doctor.
Get weekly health news
READ MORE: Abolishing accessory fees in Quebec: what does that mean for you?
“Full time [work] in this model is 42 weeks a year. I’ll repeat four – two. I would say this is not the heaviest of burden,” he said.
WATCH BELOW: Health care in Quebec
The PQ insists Barrette is putting too much pressure on general practitioners (GPs) and that could have negative consequences.
Alternative options, such as online clinics, have been offering solutions, while emergency rooms have been overcrowded since the 1980s.
READ MORE: Quebecers searching for doctors turn to private companies for help
Emergency rooms in Quebec hospitals have recently reported having the longest wait times in the western world.
Comments