Ontario's doctors and nurses have a few gripes with the recommendations in the Don Drummond report, although they do applaud the economist for some of his suggestions.

The report's 362 recommendations suggest ways in which the province can balance its budget by 2017-18.

The report states that Ontario doctors are the best paid in the country.

“However, the Canadian Institute for Health Information has evidence that suggests otherwise,” according to a press release from the Ontario Medical Association.

“CIHI states the average gross payment for a family doctor in Ontario ranks 8th out of 10 provinces and is below the national average.

Overall, the average gross payment for a physician in Ontario ranks 7th out of the 10 provinces.

“Doctors are well aware of the fiscal pressures that the government is facing provincially.

“That's why we have already offered several meaningful suggestions that identify efficiencies that do not negatively impact on patients.

To date, we have found over $240 million in savings that do not impact patient care. We look forward to continuing this important work with the government.”

The press release said doctors “were pleased to note that the report calls for the expansion of Family Health Teams, that physicians should be actively engaged in LHIN decision-making, that electronic health records need to be integrated across the system, and that more procedures should be done out of hospital.”

A press release from the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) said many of Drummond's recommendations will “lead the province down the for-profit path.”

"We all recognize the need to strengthen the health system to provide efficient, timely and better care for patients,” Dave McNeil, president of the RNAO, and vice-president of clinical programs and chief nursing officer at Health Sciences North, said.

“We are disappointed, however, that the Drummond Commission overstepped its mandate by making policy recommendations that steer the province to health care privatization.”

McNeil is referring to recommendations about tendering specialist services to “private, for-profit entities.”

“This market approach to health care goes against the research that shows care provided in not-for-profit health-care settings delivers better health outcomes for less money."

The RNAO says Drummond's recommendation to hold spending for social programs translates into a real per capital cut of 18 per cent over the next seven years.

"This is shortsighted; cuts to social programs that shape a person's ability to be healthy will cost government more in the long run," McNeil said.

The association does applaud the recommendation to bring primary care under the control of Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN).

"We've long said that more integration is needed and ensuring people have timely access to a primary care provider such as a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse or family physician, is key to keeping people healthy and out of the hospital as long as possible," RNAO's executive director, Doris Grinspun, said.

“This is also the best way to delay and lessen chronic conditions and avoid complications, which is critical when faced with a growing and aging population."

The RNAO also said it is pleased that the Drummond report acknowledges the central role nurses play in the health system, and recognizes the potential for improved health outcomes and cost savings by expanding their role and building more capacity in nursing programs to educate more nurses.

Posted by Arron Pickard