Invest in the frontline to reduce the overload

This article was published in the second edition of La Résonance magazine.

A strong frontline is essential for reducing the overload in the health network, as well as reducing the mortality rate and relieving the pressure on emergency services.

Fully practised and expanded scope of practice

Imagine what healthcare professionals could bring to frontline services if they had the ability to exercise all the powers conferred upon them by their scope of practice: prescribe diagnostic tests, certain medications and treatments for smoking cessation or referrals to other health professionals, for example. This is not unrealistic, it is, in fact, an essential solution for improving frontline care. It also makes good sense to allow healthcare professionals to provide all the care for which they have been trained.

Return of proximity care in the public sector (long live CLSCs and home care!)

The key to a frontline that meets the public’s needs is proximity. The huge investments made in family medicine groups have not made it any easier to access frontline care but have instead contributed to the privatization of the gateway to the public health network. Today, public points of service are closing, leaving entire populations without local services. The government must revitalize CLSCs and home care in order to provide equitable and accessible public frontline care.

Enhanced prevention

The health network is focused on hospital centres and medical practice. Prevention efforts are often underestimated. However, in the context of an overload and an ageing population, it is necessary to reduce demand in addition to increasing supply. As everyone knows, prevention is better than cure!