Access to a family doctor: Quebec misses its target

Photo from the archives, Stevens LeBlanc
The minister of Health, Gaétan Barrette

Patrick Bellerose

Wednesday, 20 December 2017 10:39

UPDATE
Wednesday, 20 December 2017 10:39

Look at this article

The minister Gaétan Barrette welcomes the registration of one million citizens to a family doctor since coming to office, although general practitioners have missed the target set by law 20.

“On the 1st of December 2017, we have crossed the milestone of 1 million Quebec citizens enrolled to a family physician more than at our arrival in 2014 – December 1, 2014 – there was 1 001 040 citizens of all ages newly enrolled in addition to a family doctor compared to our entry into 2014,” announced the minister of Health Wednesday morning.

However, the law 20 was designed to register 1.3 million citizens as of December 31, 2017, recognizes Gaétan Barrette, a target that will not be reached.

The law adopted in 2015, and then suspended, was designed to enroll 85% of the quebec population, whereas it is rather 79% of Quebecers have access to a family doctor today.

In addition, the figures presented Wednesday have been inflated by a pre-announced last October. It allows doctors to add citizens on their lists without having first met as provided for in the act 20.

But the minister Barrette fights being so doped artificially on the data as a patient enrolled will have access to a doctor. “If I sign up without having done so previously, because it was the initial condition, the full review, it’s going to take place, this review, in a subsequent visit, the minister stressed. But if I subscribe, I’ll be available to see you.”

Although general practitioners have missed the target, the penalties laid down by the act 20 shall not apply for the time being. Gaétan Barrette is anticipated that the target of 1.3 million citizens registered will be reached during the next quarter.

Subsequently, the act 20 shall remain suspended for a probationary period of approximately two years, the time to ensure that the number of patients supported to remain stable, the minister said. If this is the case, the law 20 will eventually be repealed.

More details will follow…