Ontario's doctors bring Check-Up Ontario to Ottawa to identify patient-first solutions for chronic conditions affecting the aging population

OTTAWA, March 2, 2016 /CNW/ - In an effort to identify and help implement patient-first solutions to tackle the looming challenges posed by an aging population, Ontario's doctors will be meeting local experts and advocates in Ottawa today as part of Check-Up Ontario, a doctor-led consultation tour.

"Ensuring we are able to adequately respond to the challenges posed by an aging population with increasingly chronic and complex care needs is one of the biggest issue facing Ontario's health-care system," said Dr. Virginia Walley, President-Elect of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). "With a rapidly growing and aging population, there will be increasing demand for quality, patient-focused care in Ottawa. That's why we need to find solutions before the demand for care becomes unsustainable."

As part of Check-Up Ontario, Ontario's doctors are:

• Launching an expert and public consultation tour in six cities across Ontario to identify key chronic care challenges, including those facing aging patients living with chronic conditions;
• Convening Ontario's leading health-care experts to determine new and innovative ideas on how to improve patient-focused care by tackling the challenges posed by an aging population; and
• Developing policies and recommendations to help begin solving the challenges posed by chronic conditions and an aging population.

The complex care needs of Ontarians with chronic conditions impact not only the patients themselves, but also their loved ones who often, particularly in the case of aging patients, serve as caregivers and 'quarterbacks' in coordinating care.

Data from Statistics Canada reveals that many families in Ottawa are grappling with the challenges posed by chronic conditions.

Furthermore, in Ottawa:

• 16 per cent of the population has high blood pressure
• 14 per cent of the population has arthritis
• 10 per cent of the population has asthma
• five per cent of the population has diabetes

Through consultations with community leaders, advocates and health-care experts, Ontario's doctors will identify what patients and families need from the system, as well as what physicians need from the system, in order to ensure timely access to patient-focused care in Ontario.

"We are looking forward to meeting with local experts, who are extremely passionate and committed to improving care for patients," Dr. Walley said. "By bringing together those on the front-lines of chronic disease, we will be able to build stronger links between the care that patients need and the supports that will ensure they live healthier lives."

Backgrounder on Chronic Conditions

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) represents more than 34,000 physicians and medical students across the province. Ontario's doctors work closely with patients to encourage healthy living practices and illness prevention. In addition to delivering front-line services to patients, Ontario's doctors play a significant role in helping shape health care policy, as well as implementing initiatives that strengthen and enhance Ontario's health care system.

SOURCE Ontario Medical Association

Nadia Daniell-Colarossi, Manager Media Relations, Office: 416-340-2970 or 1-800-268-7215 ext. 2970, Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Danielle Milley, Senior Advisor Media Relations, Office: 416-599-2580 ext. 3008 or 1-800-268-7215 ext. 3008, Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]