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Dear Editor,
With the municipal comprehensive review coming up, it's important to consider how we build our communities.
We've been seeing another health consequence on the list of those stemming from low density housing and suburbs - difficulty finding health care services at home.
When I moved to London, Ontario from Winnipeg I was blown away by the ease in which Ontario hospitals set up a discharge plan for patients needing personal support at home.
I put in the order, and the home-care coordinator would wave their wand and the patient would meet the nurse or PSW at their home that day.
Last year, I moved to Midland, an area in need of family doctors. The easily accessible home-care services still materialize if you live in Midland or Penetanguishene, but not for residents of Tiny or Port McNicoll 10 minutes outside of town.
Several times this year I've had patients wait in hospital for months until support services can be obtained or their condition improves to the point they're not needing them anymore.
The County of Simcoe is reviewing comments about land needs Nov 12th. High-density housing for new developments is one way to protect our residents' health now and into the future.
Adrian Stacy MD CCFP
Waves Family Medicine
Penetanguishene
