DOCTORSONTARIO LAUNCHES PATIENTSONTARIO
(March 30, 2015, Toronto, Ontario) – Dr. Douglas Mark, Interim President of DoctorsOntario, announced today that DoctorsOntario would be launching a new patient advisory group. The organization, which will be called PatientsOntario, is meant to act as a voice for patients, who are fed up with elected officials who won't listen to them, and Governments who constantly put their lives and those of their loved ones at risk, by making healthcare policy decisions based on politics instead of sound judgment or evidence.
"Our healthcare system revolves around our patients," Dr. Mark said. "At least, that's the way it's supposed to be. Unfortunately, all too often, our patients find themselves being used as pawns, in an elaborate and dangerous game of 'chicken' between the Government and healthcare providers. This is why DoctorsOntario has decided to launch PatientsOntario, so that patients will finally be able to stand up and be counted, and have an open and honest dialogue about our healthcare system, as well as a frank exchange of ideas.â€Â
Dr. Mark went on to explain that he hopes to attract a wide variety of people from all walks of life and all parts of the province to be a part of PatientsOntario, including people with business acumen and experience in dealing with elected officials and the media. The new organization will be governed by a separate Board of Directors, who will oversee the management of a budget and a public relations campaign. The Board will also be responsible for growing the membership to something in excess of six figures by the end of the year.
"The Liberal Government would like you to believe that our current disagreement is about their decision to impose a contract on us that will reduce doctors' salaries by 3.15 per cent," Dr. Mark said. "But that's just a smokescreen. What Government's really doing is rationing healthcare. By making cuts to patient care, and underfunding OHIP to the tune of 580 million dollars this year alone, the Liberals are trying to balance the budget on the backs of doctors and patients. We can't sit quietly by on the sidelines and allow our patients to be put at risk like this. There's simply too much at stake."
DoctorsOntario will encourage every doctor in Ontario to direct their patients to the DoctorsOntario web site, where patients will be able to get more information about the new organization. If interested, individuals will then have the option of joining PatientsOntario online, or they can send in a completed membership form via fax or regular mail. A single membership costs $10 per year. A family (of up to four) can join for $25.
"The Liberals need to remember that patients are not only taxpayers," Dr. Mark said, "they're also voters. When it comes to having unfettered access to patients, no other group can compete with doctors. We take our relationship with our patients very seriously. When Government actions threatened their health and safety in the past, we were there for them. Today, with the launch of PatientsOntario, we're formalizing that partnership with our patients.â€Â
DoctorsOntario is a member-driven, grassroots organization dedicated to protecting the rights, freedoms and independence of Ontario physicians and their patients by promoting sustainable healthcare policies and practices that safeguard accessibility and the highest standards of medical care.