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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2005-03-30, Page 13THE HURON EXPOStTOR, March 30. 2005-13 Rural docs should benefit from deal with province By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor Rural doctors will be rewarded for the comprehensive service they provide to • their communities under the latest offer from the province, says Seaforth Community Hospital chief of staff Dr. Dan Rooyakkers. "Rural doctors voted 70 per cent in favour of the last deal and I imagine this one will be voted for by a large percentage. It's a no-brainer for rural doctors," he said Monday, the last day of the voting across Ontario. Under the new agreement, Rooyakkers said rural doctors will receive a better rate of pay for the hospital visits, nursing home visits and hospital emergency work. He said many doctors, especially in urban areas, have abandoned that sort of work because it "didn't pay all that much." "We're already doing that job and we'll get paid more for it. It will give us a financial incentive to keep working at that. The government is putting its money where its mouth is by covering that," he said. The $2.4 billion, four- year pact, if approved, will see raises from 14.5 per cent to 35 per cent for family doctors, giving the average doctor $50,000 more by the end of the agreement. The province's 24,000 doctors voted by telephone on the deal, which improves a previously -rejected offer by the province by $1.2 million. But, the doctors' vote is non-binding since the Ontario Medical Association's governing council will provide ultimate approval. Rooyakkers said many urban doctors oppose the agreement because it will only provide a two per cent increase for family doctors who only work at their practice, not at hospitals and after-hours clinics. "This agreement would keep doctors out there working harder and lower the orphan patient numbers," he said. However, Rooyakkers said the agreement will not address the fact that young graduating doctors are choosing specialties over family medicine since the raise in pay will not bring family doctors close to the wages of specialists. He said Goderich's Dr. Ken Milne makes a good argument when he says that family doctors need a much larger pay raise to attract more young doctors into family medicine. But, he's hopeful that the province's plans to create family health teams will begin to address the orphan patient situation in Ontario since that model will coordinate health care and put all health care professionals under one budget as well as increasing pay for the job. "The big payoff of family health teams will be improved health and less need for hospital services. It is more preventative and it will have benefits locally," he said. Seaforth is still waiting to hear if a proposal for a fancily health team to serve Huron County's orphan patients will be approved by the province. "Hopefully, new grads will get into family medicine because of the fancily health teams," he said. . Rooyakkers said the latest agreement with the province is the hest pay raise rural family doctors have seen in quite a while. "I would say it's the most significant step forward in 20 years." he said. Province to give $79 million to grain, oilseed farmers By Cheryl Heath Clinton News Record Editor The Province of Ontario's highly anticipated aid announcement for grain and oilseed producers came in yesterday at $79 million — $221 million shy of what producers were seeking. In an announcement made just after the press deadline Tuesday, the Liberal -led government announced it is boosting its support for Ontario's farmers by providing $129 million in additional support to eligible grain and oilseed producers, and introducing a transition fund for tobacco farmers. "We recognize and value the contribution that our agriculture sector makes to the economic and social well- being of every Ontarian. That's why we will provide an additional $129 million to Ontario's farmers," said Minister of Agriculture and Food Steve Peters. Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell lauded the announcement. "This government knows that our agriculture industry is hurting, and that's why the McGuinty government is boosting its support for Ontario's agriculture industry through these two initiatives which will inject $129 million into the sector" she said. ti "We are firmly committed to working with all members of the industry to create a stronger, more sustainable future for our farmers and food processors and our rural communities." The government will provide $79 million in funding through the Market Revenue Program (MRP), to ensure that eligible grain and oilseed producers receive the province's full 40 per cent of 2004 program benefits prior to spring planting.' This new funding is in addition to the $88 million delivered to farmers who participate in MRP earlier this month. The government will continue to work with the industry to develop a longer-term solution. Through a new $50 million Tobacco Community Transition Fund, the government will provide $35 million to assist tobacco growers wishing to exit the industry. Tobacco growing communities will receive $15 million to encourage economic diversification and innovation. S DIRECTORY Your Ad Call -527-0240 AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING SPECIALISTS Plu bill Holman & Sons Contractor 40038931001 527-0505 Licensed for Sheet Metal. Refrigeration, Gas & Plumbing Seaforth Agricultural Society • BANQUET & MEETING FACILITIES • 10,000 sq. feet of indoor show area See what we have to offer Call 527-1321 Today! 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