The shortage of healthcare workers across the country “is expected to get worse,” according to a department of Health briefing note..According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the Commons Health committee predicts that by the end of the decade, the country will have a shortage of over 100,000 nurses alone..“The shortage is expected to get worse,” said the June 19 note Health Workforce Crisis. .“The workforce could see a 16% loss in the nursing profession within the next year.”.“Canada’s health system is experiencing an unprecedented health workforce crisis,” said the note. .“High patient workloads, lack of resources, mandatory overtime and fear for personal safety have led to high levels of burnout, absences and turnover. The impacts reverberate across all areas of the health system, including the closure of emergency rooms.”.On Feb. 7, the cabinet made a promise to provide $198.6 billion in new funding for healthcare over the next 10 years..The department said despite billions, it was “concerned about the mental health and well-being of Canadians and of front-line workers who are working tirelessly to keep us safe and healthy.”.“There are not enough healthcare workers to meet the current demand for services,” said the note. It is estimated there are currently 40,700 vacant nursing jobs. .“The job vacancy rate in the healthcare and social assistance sector was 6.3% for Canada as a whole,” said the note, citing Statistics Canada estimates..“The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified many of the challenges facing the health workforce and it is well understood the path forward must address the root cause of the crisis,” said the note. .“It will require transformative and innovative solutions.”.According to a report from the Commons Health committee on March 6, it is estimated that 4.6 million Canadians do not have a family doctor..“It is now predicted there will be a shortage of 117,600 nurses in Canada by 2030,” wrote MPs..“The committee was told almost 70% of health spending goes to salaries,” said the report. .“As such, a lack of funding and cuts to funding translate to fewer jobs.”.The committee suggested several options to help Canada's healthcare system. They recommended hiring more people from other countries, allowing more students into medical schools, creating a national license for doctors and nurses, and “provide incentives to attract more physicians into family care and retain them.”.Starting this fall, the department of Employment plans to implement a 50% increase in student loan forgiveness. Doctors could be eligible for up to $40,000 of loan forgiveness, while nurses could receive up to $20,000. .However, there's a catch. To qualify for this loan forgiveness, graduates must commit to working in rural areas of Canada for a minimum of five years. .“Among the many factors that contribute to the limited access to healthcare services in rural and remote areas is the challenge of attracting family physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners to these communities,” the department wrote in a June 24 Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement.
