Many high–income countries have been able to provide better access to primary care than Canada has. In the Netherlands, Finland and Norway, almost 100% of the population has access to regular ongoing primary care. These countries have chosen to make primary care a priority by guaranteeing access to care and investing more money in it.
When people have access to high–quality primary care, they have a home within the home care system — a place where they and their families can return in order to maintain their health. High-quality primary care means equitable, timely, patient–centered and rational care that is accessible to everyone. It encompasses care for the whole person, taking into account patient values and preferences and supporting them throughout their life’s journey from birth to death and everything in between. Patients feel well physically, mentally, and socially, enabling them to live life to their fullest potential.
We have now lost our primary healthcare system, and it may take more than five years before we regain it. How did this happen? What plans are in place beyond private services and apps like Maple ? Should we consider funding nonprofit clinics for doctors and nurses? Can we at least ensure our healthcare is funded comparably to countries similar to ours?
Planning should be long–term — at least 10 years – even if politicians often operate on short-term timelines due to elections.
Let’s continue talking about the healthcare we all want.
