The ISDCO conducted a provincial survey of community clinic operators during the first half of November 2023. The responses to this survey suggest that clinic operators are concerned about the financial health and the sustainability of the sector. The health and human resource crisis is expected to have a material impact on the ability of the sector to continue to perform its ‘share’ of provincial healthcare services. Clinic operators expect to have to match significant wage increases to be given to hospital-based staff [who already enjoy the benefits of participation in the HOOPP pension plan], or else risk losing staff. OHIP underfunded technical fee compensation concerns also remain an issue.
These compensation issues are now exacerbated by COVID-19 loan repayment obligations and the need to replace aging fleets of medical equipment.
These survey results suggest that funding initiatives from the Government may be necessary to ensure the sustainability of the clinic sector and to better balance the “playing field” with hospital-based providers.
Attached is the full submission.