More than 388,000 additional Quebecers are now enrolled in a family medicine group (GMF), ahead of the schedule that should result in 500,000 enrollments by March 31. Minister Christian Dubé’s next goal and promise is to make it easier to make appointments.
The agreement reached with the Federation of General Practitioners of Quebec (FMOQ) last May set a target of 375,000 registered people by December 31.
“It’s important to tell Quebecers that we’re not just setting goals, we’re achieving and exceeding them,” said the health minister in an interview with our parliamentary office.
“Good shots”
Mr. Dubé does not hide it, he is very keen these days to highlight the “good steps” in the health network to motivate the troops. In addition, the minister is trying to rebuild trust in GPs after last year’s struggle to access their time slots.
Now, Mr. Dubé intends to present a new version of his Bill 19, which died on the order paper, in order to be able to measure the follow-up of patients performed by FMGs. “We are currently dependent on the goodwill of our doctors,” admitted the minister.
In a written statement, FMOQ President Dr. Marc-André Amyot that its members want to be “agents of change” to improve access to the front line. However, he complains about a shortage of around 1,000 general practitioners.
Simplify access
With the FMGs, the Frontline Access Counter (GAP), the 811 line and the IPS clinics, the gateways to the healthcare network have multiplied in recent months.
Minister Dubé intends to simplify everything by first promoting the 811 phone line, both to reach Info-Santé and to get an appointment through the GAP.
After the holidays, Quebec will set up an online appointment system based on the Clic-Santé model for vaccinations. “Here we see the importance of the connection to the FMGs,” said the minister.
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