October 6, 2006

TORONTO –A third year family medicine resident has agreed to fill the vacant shift in the emergency department at Hanover and District Hospital thanks to joint action between the McGuinty government and the Professional Association of Internes and Residents of Ontario (PAIRO), Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

"I would like to thank PAIRO for their work in securing a resident to keep the emergency room in Hanover open this weekend,” said Smitherman.  “There is an untapped pool of medical residents who are eager to provide care in the community.  Today’s action is an example of the innovative solutions needed to solve the staff shortages in emergency departments across Ontario.”

PAIRO is the official representative voice for all medical doctors training in the province.

Dr. Melanie Crozier, a Family Physician doing additional training in London will staff the emergency room at the Hanover and District Hospital on Monday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. “I am delighted to assist the Hanover Hospital in staffing its ER on Monday,” Crozier said.  “In the future, I hope that more medical residents can be made available to hospitals such as Hanover.”

“Dr. Crozier is able to help because she is already fully licensed,” said Kris Lehnhardt, President of PAIRO. “Many of her other colleagues in regular residency training are also willing to help. But they can't do so because this is not allowed in Ontario as it is in most other provinces. PAIRO looks forward to working with medical school deans, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the Ontario Medical Association to allow regular residents to provide additional services.”

Minister Smitherman supports new approaches which would allow some qualified medical residents to provide additional services under a limited license in a manner that protects the public and offers residents a quality educational experience.
  
Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty government’s plan for innovation in public health care, building a system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

For further information :

Members of the media :

David Spencer, 416-327-4320
Minister's Office

John Letherby, 416-314-6197
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Members of the general public :
(416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154

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