Business Retention and Expansion Study for Collingwood's
Medical/Health Sector

Final Report - July 2008

Section 1:
Section 2: Overall Findings
Section 3: Advantages and Disadvantages to Collingwood

Executive Summary

The Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) survey of Collingwood’s Medical/Health sector was initiated in December 2007 by Collingwood Economic Development, and concluded in May 2008. Through the efforts forged among private medical practitioners, the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, (G&M) the Rural Ontario Medical Program (ROMP), the Georgian Bay Family Health Team (GBFHT), and their respective support staffs, alternative health providers, and municipal partners, the BR+E survey gathered key information including:

(a) identifying local health issues (current and future)

(b) strengths and weaknesses of existing local health resources

During this period, the above mentioned agencies and 72 local medical or health selected practitioners participated in the survey process providing valuable data about their respective operations. On average, the practitioners had operated their practices for more than 15 years, with one being in operation for more than forty years.

Sampling practice representatives included:

• group practices having multiple partners of three or more and who provided collaborative data

• primary care physicians including family, emergency and general practitioners

• nurses

• dentists

• chiropractors

• massage therapists

• pharmacists

• alternative primary Medical/Health care providers such as midwives and naturopath

The overall purpose of this report is to summarize the data and feedback received from BR+E findings of the Medical/Health sector in order for Collingwood Economic Development and their respective Board, to work effectively with relevant community partners, and interested individuals, in order to determine how to best address issues raised through the BR+E process.

The findings of the Medical/Health BR+E survey are reported as follows.

The majority of those participating in the Medical/Health sector survey were very positive about many of Collingwood’s features while being straightforward and specific about the challenges facing our future. For example, Collingwood’s Medical/Health sector practitioners rated Collingwood as:

• “good to excellent” by 74% of respondents and viewed the Town as an exceptional community to live work and play

Additionally, the local Medical/Health sector identified more than:

• 700 jobs currently exist within the local Medical/Health sector, including those in the Collingwood G&M Hospital, nursing or retirement homes, and local practice offices.

• G&M provides a total of 439 jobs, identified as 44% fulltime, 11% reduced fulltime and 45% contract or part time positions. We received no salary information for those employed in nursing or retirement homes.

• Additionally, the GBFHT with a 3 person administrative staff has a membership of 36 member doctors, 22 of whom practice in Collingwood. The GBFHT provides another 10 healthcare professional positions with 8 provincially funded positions not yet filled.

• Further, the Rural Ontario Medical Program (ROMP), who operates independently from its G&M hospital base, has an 8 person staff not including its Executive Director.

The above reported:

• 50% potential job growth (or 350 new local jobs) over the next three years

• in excess of $22,000,000 for 2007 salaries in this sector

• 50%+ of those currently employed in the Medical/Health sector reside within Collingwood

The above salary amount does not include earnings generated by local medical doctors who are paid by through the Provincial health care system and other funding agencies.

Despite all this good news, Collingwood must recognize the following identified concerns and situations as a starting point. In this regard, the Medical/Health sector expressed their desire for Collingwood to:

• maximize business efficiency and our competitiveness in attracting medical professionals to the area

• advocate on behalf of the Medical/Health Sector to all levels of government, rather than its current piecemeal approach

Additionally, the Medical/Health Sector recognizes their need to:

• improve the overall continuum of care

• build new partnerships to make effective use of financial and human resources and

• identify and reduce the systemic barriers for those accessing health care