TORONTO — Canada's family doctors are calling on the federal government to develop a national home-care strategy for seniors and improved health care for young people, including the elimination of child poverty by 2020.
The College of Family Physicians of Canada has issued a report and road map that provides steps on how Ottawa could achieve these goals.
The report says the health-care system needs to focus more on home- and community-based care under a national home-care strategy, which it wants in place within two years.
College president-elect Dr. Garey Mazowita says providing health-care services within the home allows seniors to retain independence and dignity within familiar surroundings, while reducing hospital admissions.
The organization representing 31,000 family doctors also says child poverty adversely affects early childhood development, and it wants Ottawa to develop a strategy to eliminate child poverty by the end of the decade.
It says to reach their full potential, young people need a safe and secure environment, opportunities for physical and mental development, and access to a range of health-care resources, regardless of socioeconomic status.
