Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Minister of Indigenous Affairs, during a visit to Seine River, undated. Supplied/Tom Thompson photo

The provincial government is hoping to see some relief in the not-to-distant future on pressures driving the healthcare system.

So says Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford.

He says a number of measures have been taken by the government to address staff shortages and improve wait times.

“Innovative grant opportunities for doctors and nurses to get real relief from the costs associated to go to medical school and to go to nursing school if their destination is a northern community upon graduation,” says Rickford.

Rickford notes programming has also been strengthened at Confederation College, Seven Generations Education Institute and NOSM University.

The province announced last week the hiring of 6,000 health care workers and freeing up 2,500 more hospital beds.

The government’s five-year plan also includes temporarily covering the cost of examination, application and registration fees for retired and internationally-trained nurses.

Rickford says this is on top of what has already been done.

“Hiring more than 10,000 health care workers over the past couple of years. Providing tuition relief for certain workers in the health care sector, in particular our front-line workers. Creating new opportunities for paramedics through our para-medicine program that’s been really good on the ground in our riding.”

Rickford notes more work is needed but believes they are headed in the right direction.