Healthcare staff shortage in Ontario Hospitals: 2.5 million people without family doctors

by Usama Zafar

Ontario is facing a growing healthcare crisis as hospitals and doctors’ offices struggle to hire physicians and nurses. As a result, an estimated 2.5 million Ontarians are without a family doctor, leaving many to rely on walk-in clinics and emergency rooms for primary care.

When it comes to health care, many Canadians are unfortunately forced to live with long queues. The difficulties for patients and staff are clear, whether it means spending hours in the emergency room, waiting weeks or months to see a specialist, or maybe having surgery for a year or two. Talking about the crisis of healthcare staff. Nearly one in two (48.5%) of the 79,700 job openings in health occupations in the third quarter of 2024 were advertised for 90 days or longer, according to the most recent data. This percentage was not only the highest of the ten major occupational groups, but it was also far higher than the 31.6% national average.

The demand of Nursing jobs increased during this period

There were more long-term openings in some health-related occupations. Of the 10,600 certified professional nurse positions available in the third quarter of 2024, one in two (49.9%) had ads that lasted at least ninety days. Operating room technicians, nursing assistants, and

registered practical nurses are all members of this professional category. There were 25,800 openings for related health and nursing professionals, which includes nurse practitioners, registered nurses, psychiatric nurses, and nursing coordinators and supervisors. Of the job vacancies in this category, over half (52.5%) were posted for at least ninety days. The finding that there were 78,600 job openings in health occupations overall in the third quarter of 2024—a fall of 8,200 (-9.5%) from the second quarter—may be a positive indication. This was the second consecutive quarterly decline. The number of openings in health occupations decreased by 13,200 (-14.3%) from the year before.

Ontario opening two new healthcare schools.

The government of Ontario is keen on finding a solution for the healthcare staff shortage. The province is opening two health education schools, one will be connected to Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in Brampton, while the other will be located at York University, close to Seneca College. “Our investment in York University’s new medical school will make it easier for future doctors to access the exceptional post secondary education that Ontario is so well known for,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities.

These institutions are a part of a larger plan to reduce the doctor shortage in the province and train more medical professionals. Furthermore, the government of Ontario is implementing new rules for medical school admissions that prioritize citizens of the province. By ensuring that graduates continue to practice in Ontario, this action aims to reduce the urgent need for family doctors.