When Queen's Park health critic France Gélinas voiced her concern over the possible closing of the nursing station in Gogama, Premier Doug Ford stood in the legislature to blame the federal government.
Gélinas, the NDP MPP for Nickel Belt raised the issue in the Ontario Legislature on Wednesday and said the Ministry of Health was formally advised in July that the nursing station in Gogama would be closing on Sept. 1.
“Gogama is a small isolated community. Residents rely on this nursing station as their only point of access to health care,” said Gélinas.
“September is fast approaching. The community needs reassurance that they won’t find themselves without health services at the end of the month.” Gélinas asked for reassurance that Gogama would not be left with direct access to local health care.
Government house leader Paul Calandra responded by saying one of the biggest difficulties the government has at the moment is finding ways to attract qualified health care professionals to small and remote communities, such as Gogama, which is a village located on the CN Rail mainline, near Highway 144.
"How do you attract medical professionals to all parts of the province of Ontario?" Calandra asked. He said it was a concern that has been expressed by the Ministry of Health as well as the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
In her supplementary question, Gélinas said there are health agencies in Timmins, 105 kilometres north of Gogama, that are willing and able to sponsor the Gogama nursing station.
"They have a nurse practitioner available and they have a supporting physician," said Gélinas.
Her question to the government was whether the Ministry of Health would sign an agreement to allow the health providers in Timmins to step in to take over the nursing station.
"The agreement needs to be signed now," Gélinas told the house.
At that point, Premier Doug Ford stood up and said "Thank goodness for the people of Timmins; they have a great representative, George Pirie."
Ford was seemingly unaware that Gogama falls within the boundaries of Nickel Belt riding.
"Thank goodness for George. He's going to have a loud voice for Timmins and he's going to make sure everyone in that region is taken care of," the premier continued.
Ford added that the broader issue is for the federal government to pay more of the share for health care spending. Ford said it was a cross-Canada concern.
"They're paying 22 per cent. We're asking for 35 per cent," Ford said.
"It will not be sustainable without the federal government stepping up to the plate making sure that they give us a fair amount to sustain the health care system."
Ford did not give Gélinas a direct answer on the nursing station concern.
In a news release issued later Wednesday, Gélinas said it was her hope that an agreement can be signed before the September 1 deadline.
Len Gillis covers health care and mining for Sudbury.com.
