Ontario patients are expressing their frustration after being “de-rostered” by their family doctors. This practice, which involves doctors removing patients from their roster, has left many feeling abandoned and without access to necessary medical care.
One such patient, Sarah Johnson, shared her experience with CTV News. She received a letter from her family doctor stating that she had been removed from their roster due to “overcrowding.” Johnson, who has been a patient at the clinic for over 10 years, was shocked and confused by the sudden dismissal.
“I’ve never had any issues with my doctor and I’ve always been able to get an appointment when I needed one,” Johnson said. “I don’t understand why I was suddenly dropped without any warning or explanation.”
Johnson is not alone in her frustration. Many other patients across Ontario have reported similar experiences, with some even being dropped by their doctors via email or phone call.
The practice of de-rostering has been a growing concern in Ontario, with the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) reporting a 50% increase in complaints from patients in the past year. The OMA states that de-rostering is often a result of doctors trying to manage their workload and prioritize patients with more complex medical needs.
However, this explanation does little to ease the frustration and anxiety of patients who have been dropped by their family doctors. Many patients have formed strong relationships with their doctors and rely on them for their ongoing medical care.
In response to the growing concerns, the OMA has called for stricter regulations and guidelines surrounding de-rostering. They are also urging doctors to communicate openly and transparently with their patients about their decision to remove them from their roster.
In the meantime, patients like Johnson are left scrambling to find a new family doctor, which can be a daunting and time-consuming task. Some have even resorted to visiting walk-in clinics or emergency rooms for their medical needs.
The Ontario government has also expressed their concern over the issue, with Health Minister Christine Elliott stating that they are looking into ways to address the problem and ensure patients have access to the care they need.
In the midst of this ongoing issue, patients are left feeling frustrated and abandoned by the very doctors they have trusted with their health. It is clear that more needs to be done to address the practice of de-rostering and ensure patients have access to the medical care they deserve.
