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JOBS Ontario Training More Doctors in Scarborough

Wednesday, 23 March 2022 08:00.AM
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- Province Launching Largest Expansion of Medical School Education in Over 10 Years. -

The Ontario government is increasing the number of both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education positions at the University of Toronto as part of its plan to train and retain more doctors across Ontario and to build a stronger, more resilient health care system. This will ensure there are enough doctors to meet the health care needs of a growing population in Scarborough.
Details were announced today by Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities and Prabmeet Sarkaria, President of the Treasury Board at the future site of the University of Toronto’s new Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) in Scarborough.

“Ontario’s health care professionals are some of the finest practitioners in the world and that is a testament to the education they receive through Ontario’s universities and colleges,” said Minister Dunlop. “This expansion will increase access to family and specialty physicians and other health care professionals in every corner of the province to ensure that Ontarians can access the health care they need, when they need it, wherever they may live.”

Established in 1843, the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine supports health research and innovation. At present, there are 259 undergraduate medical education seats and 407 postgraduate positions. The University of Toronto will receive 30 additional undergraduate seats by 2025 and 45 additional postgraduate positions by 2027 to support the new University of Toronto Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health. It will also receive funding for enrolment in life sciences and physical therapy programs.

"As our government continues to make record investments to build up our health care infrastructure, we're ensuring that we have the trained professionals needed to care for a growing Ontario," said Prabmeet Sarkaria, President of the Treasury Board. "After years of chronic staffing shortages, budget cuts, and neglect from previous governments, we're expanding medical school spaces across Ontario, and giving the eager students of today the opportunity to become the skilled doctors serving our communities tomorrow."

This investment is part of the government’s plan to increase the number of doctors serving across Ontario, especially in growing and currently underserved communities. Ontario is adding 160 undergraduate seats and 295 postgraduate positions over the next five years, the largest expansion of undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in over 10 years.

“Ontario's doctors are key partners of a strong and sustainable health care system,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Supporting more students to become physicians is a key part of our plan to build up our health care workforce and ensure patients can access the care they need no matter where they live.”

To strengthen the health and long-term care workforce, Ontario is investing $342 million, beginning in 2021-22, to add over 5,000 new and upskilled registered nurses and registered practical nurses as well as 8,000 personal support workers. In addition, Ontario is investing $57.6 million, beginning in 2022–23, to hire 225 nurse practitioners in the long-term care sector.


SOURCE: Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities

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