Health care services are important to all residents of Springwater. The loss of doctors through retirement is a challenge to most communities. We notice that there is a general shortage of physicians in all communities in Canada. I am concerned that even though health care is a federal and provincial responsibility, the lack of funding of local initiatives is problematic. I think of the millions of dollars that are now raised privately in all regions to build hospitals and maintain existing facilities camouflages real issues with health care. Health Care is the responsibility of the higher levels of government. However, even though it is not a responsibility of Springwater, I think we have no choice but to be involved. Local doctors are a key to attracting new residents in any municipality.

The big concern of any new medical doctor is to start repaying their education debt which is typically quite substantial after graduating medical school. These young doctors have little money to invest in a startup facility and any assistance is appreciated. The township renovations in the Knox building in Elmvale has paid off and we now see weekly services such as blood services and youth services being provided. During this term we have had discussions with the area hospitals about enhancing these services especially those geared to seniors. We need to keep working on that. The township’s annual contribution to the area recruitment is now starting to pay off after years of concern. I am the Council representative on the Barrie Physician Recruitment Committee and we are seeing progress with more doctors coming to this area.  I congratulate our committee under the guidance of Dr. Stu Murdoch a brilliant community focused medical expert. Since 2014 we have seen that confidence build and we now have more medical professionals in Springwater. The Springwater Health Centre opened at Carson and Bayfield and is doing quite well with the addition of Sports Medicine and other services including a pharmacy.

Let’s keep this momentum and Re-elect Bill French for Mayor on Oct 22