The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Royal College) recognizes the deep impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the wellness of the health workforce and is committed to working collaboratively with our partners on shared solutions. In support of patients and communities across the country, the Royal College is looking forward to partnering with the Government of Canada to make key investments towards strengthening our health care system so that it becomes more equitable, resilient and sustainable.

“Truly addressing the very real challenges currently facing our health care system will require engagement from all levels of government, organizations and partners involved in the delivery of health care”, explains Royal College President Brian Hodges, MD, FRCPC, PhD.  “Our recommendations focus on the changes needed to ensure improved and more equitable access to care.”

Every year, the Government of Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance invites organizations and individuals across Canada to submit recommendations for priorities for the upcoming federal budget. The Royal College submitted a brief to highlight key areas for attention to provide the best health care for everyone in Canada. As part of the 2024 pre-budget, the Royal College has put forward six key recommendations that the government:

• Invest in and promote inter- and intra-professional, person-centred team models in all health care settings, starting with primary care via the $198.6 billion in health care funding to the provinces and territories.

• Collaborate with medical regulatory bodies to collect data around scope and practice patterns, including physicians and nurse practitioners, and apply a data equity framework on a national level to better understand workforce patterns and inform human health resources planning.

• Facilitate more equitable access to health care through the continued development and evaluation of virtual care, high-speed internet access across all of Canada and facilitation of pan-Canadian licensure.

• Advance and continue to invest in programs that support the National Adaptation Strategy Health and Wellness objectives.

• Invest in programs to provide affordable and equitable access to pharmaceuticals for all Canadians.

• Provide sustained funding for improving Indigenous Health education and creating cultural safety in the health system.

“These areas represent important investments in building up a health care system that is still reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Dr. Hodges. “At the end of the day, we need to all work together to build for a brighter tomorrow in which health care workers and health care learners can thrive and patients have access to and receive the care they deserve.”

In support of both our members and patients across the country, the Royal College is committed to continuing to support the entire health care system in which specialist physicians are engaged to meet the needs of patients.  We are hopeful we can work together with the federal government in achieving this.

For media enquiries:

Sarah Matthews
smatthews@royalcollege.ca
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

About the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada is the national professional association that pursues excellence in medical education, professional standards, and building physician competence. We protect the health of Canadians by helping physicians build skills, knowledge and expertise through lifelong learning and continuing professional development. We accredit the university programs that train resident physicians for their specialty practices, and we administer the examinations that residents must pass to become certified as specialists. In collaboration with health organizations and government agencies, the Royal College also plays a role in developing sound health policy in Canada. To find out more, please visit royalcollege.ca.

View the Federal Pre-Budget Submission for August 2023