Family physicians groups oppose networks, want "enhancements". (Health).

OTTAWA -- The newly formed Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario is opposing the Ontario Medical Associations stand in backing the Ontario government's initiative of the Ontario Family Health Network.

Responding to a government announcement that more family networks have been formed in Ottawa, Coalition president, Dr. Douglas Mark said that "primary care is not in need of major reform", but needs "family practice enhancement". This enhancement features more doctors, less bureaucracy, more resources and adequate funding.

He said that less than one half percent of eligible family physicians in Ontario have agreed to join the family health network. In addition, he noted that in a Coalition survey 98 percent of the 1,350 family physicians rejected the contents of the OFHN template agreements while 97 percent called on the Ontario Medical Association to hold a referendum on the issue.

Mark, who cited a number of reasons why physicians reject the OFHN model, including downloading all legal responsibility and insurance risk onto the doctors,

Currently, family physicians bill annually about $1.7 billion in total in Ontario, and according to the Coalition, this amount equals about 40 cents per day per patient or about $148 per year.

Health Minister Tony Clement, who views the new networks as a surge of interest among doctors and patients, said "the momentum we are experiencing is a result of hard work and dedication in enhancing the way health care is delivered in Ontario. In the end, both doctors and patients will win".

There are currently about 55 doctors practising in the networks while another 176 physicians are working in 14 initial pilot networks.

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