Stay connected with the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada's newsletter.

 

       September 2021

SRPC 2021 Election Statement

Last week the SRPC released a statement calling on all politicians to answer rural and Indigenous populations’ demands to make access to health care a priority for people living in Canada’s rural and remote communities.

The SRPC calls upon all federal parties to commit to investing in resources and infrastructures that will address the following:

  • Enable a National Rural Health Care and Workforce Strategy
  • Provide Access to Rural Health Care
  • Promote Rural Health Care Innovation
  • Prioritize Indigenous Health Services
  • Collaborate with Rural Canada

The status quo is no longer acceptable. We need to work collectively to improve health, health systems, and the health workforce. Everyone in Canada is entitled to high-quality health care and equitable access to care — not only during crises but at all times.

"Rural communities need an effective health care system with a stable workforce.  Rural communities need rural-based solutions that work in addressing their unique health care needs. These issues need to be part of a national dialogue in this election."  - Dr. Gabe Woollam, SRPC President

Read the Election Statement

We hope you'll join us on September 20th for Dr. Karen Lawford's presentation - Understanding the Context of Healthcare for Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Register Today!

Rural Road Map (RRM) Workplan

In June 2021, the SRPC began to lead efforts in coordinating activities related to the RRM and advocacy efforts in enhancing access to rural health care.  The SRPC Executive struck a RRM Oversight Committee to provide advice on developing a comprehensive workplan.  This committee will act as a sounding board for the Executive in responding to key policy issues as they emerge.  They have identified key SRPC members as 'experts' or 'ambassadors' in representing SRPC on key issues with stakeholders.  Key activities include:

  • determining activities on rural networks of care and rural medical education.
  • exploring avenues for implementation of the call to action statement for rural patient transfers.
  • conducting a series of meetings with interested government stakeholders.
  • participation with the Canadian Medial Forum's physician HHR advisory group on rural physician health human resource planning.
  • discussions with CIHR-IHSPR in exploring collaborative opportunities to build rural health research capacity as part of their June 2021 strategic plan.
Rural Road Map

Call to Action Statement – Rural Patient Transfer

In June 2021, the SRPC and CFPC circulated a letter to key government stakeholders to advocate for an effective pan-Canadian approach to better bridge the gaps created by current patient transfer practices and protocols through its call to action statement and its recommended actions.  We received a response from three politicians, including two Senators who expressed interest in exploring collaborative opportunities further.  

In August 2021, a national advisory planning group was struck, led by Dr. Ruth Wilson, to explore an approach to implementing the statement.  The planning group will further deliberate in the coming months and provide advice to SRPC Executive for next steps.

Read the Full Statement Here

SRPC Featured Member - Mr. Michael Nolan

Michael Nolan, M.A., Dip. Ed, CCP(F) began his career in 1990 in Ottawa as a Paramedic, then an Advanced Care and later, Critical Care Paramedic, working in Northern Canada as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic.
He has served as a Paramedic, Flight Paramedic, Professor, Deputy Chief of the Ottawa Paramedic Service, President of the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada, Director of Emergency Management for the City of Ottawa and is the Director/Chief of the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service while continuing to advance and align leadership on all levels through research, government relations, policy development, and the creation of standards for all emergency services.

Call for Abstracts - Rural & Remote 2022


The Rural & Remote 2022 Planning Committee is currently accepting abstracts for presentations.  We have our fingers crossed for an in-person event scheduled to take place in Ottawa, Ontario, April 21st – 23rd, 2022.

The committee is accepting abstracts for three types of presentations related to any aspect of health and healthcare in a rural and remote setting.

  • Session / Workshop Presentation
  • Research Oral Presentation
  • Research Poster Presentation

All abstract submissions will undergo peer review by the Planning Committee and/or SRPC Research Committee.

Deadlines:
Session / Workshop Presentation – September 30th, 2021
Research Oral Presentation – September 30th, 2021
Research Poster Presentation – December 31st, 2021


Register Your Abstract Online

Rural Stakeholder Engagement Consultation

The SRPC has been engaged in stakeholder consultations with interested RRMIC member organizations and other rural health/allied stakeholders to address ongoing gaps identified in the RRM Report Card, as well as explore collaborative opportunities.  The outcomes of these consultations will further inform SRPC’s work plan in the coming year.

Thank you to Bahar Marvizi, Certified Financial Planner who generously sponsored this SRPC Newsletter. Register for the webinar today!

SRPC Member Featured in Rural Resident Spotlight

The Northern Ontario and Rural Medicine (NORM) Committee of the Ontario Medical Students Association (OMSA) is proud to present their first Rural Resident Spotlight featuring SRPC member, Dr. Jasmine Waslowski!  Dr. Waslowski is a PGY2 at the Dalhousie Family Medicine Cape Breton - Inverness and is the Co-Chair of the SRPC Resident Committee.

Watch the Video

Advocacy on National Medical Licensure - Update

We have received responses from most provincial health ministries expressing support for a national medical licensure, including Canadian Senators Dr. Mo Ravalia, Dr. Stan Kutcher, Dr. Marie Françoise Mégie and Dr. Rosemary Moodie, who issued a formal letter of support.  In August, a meeting was held with a provincial health ministry, led by Dr. Gavin Parker and Dr. Kyle Sue, in exploring what is feasible in establishing a pan-Canadian framework.  In the coming months, SRPC is engaging in discussions with other medical groups to explore potential options and encourage further action.   

Registration for the CAWM is Now Open!

We hope you'll plan to attend the second annual conference by the Canadian Association of Wilderness Medicine (CAWM).  Their first conference was exceptionally well reviewed with 99.7% of attendees rating the conference 4-5/5!

This year's conference will be held virtually November 5th - 7th.  All content will be recorded and will be available for review post conference.

The conference will have 17.5 hours of content, including presentations from multiple SRPC members.  CME credits have been approved for CFPC MainPro, RCPSC and FAWM (details on the website).  Registration is $205.

Details and Registration Available Online

Upcoming Events

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      The SRPC’s Mission - Championing rural generalist medical care through education, collaboration, advocacy and research.

      The SRPC's Vision - Excellent health care close to home for all rural Canadians.

      info@srpc.ca    877-276-1949   P.O. Box 893 - 383 Rte 148   Shawville QC  J0X 2Y0