There is a concern that Owen Sound could lose some of the Provincial Money it receives for doctor recruitment.
The issue was raised by Bruce Grey Owen Sound Conservative MPP Bill Murdoch who says the Liberal Government is planning on cutting funding to rural doctor recruitment.
Murdoch says representatives of the Ministry of Health are holding meetings in various communities to explain the Governments Rurality Index for Ontario Scale.
He says that scores communities based on population and geographic proximity to healthcare.
If a municipality scores a score of 40 or less they will no one longer receive doctor recruitment funding.
Murdoch says what is worrisome is that of all the Municipalities in the Bruce Grey Owen Sound Riding, only Owen Sound had a score below that threshold.
Owen Sound is the hub for healthcare in Bruce-Grey and they only received a 27 and he says that means Owen Sound could lose their doctor recruitment funding under the Underserviced Area Program
But Chatsworth received a 43 and Georgian Bluffs a 41 and many people in these communities use healthcare services in Owen Sound.
Murdoch says he has contacted the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for an explanation but haven’t received a response yet.
The Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP also is worried that because of cutbacks and a plan to close some small rural hospitals, then the proposed new hospital in Markdale may be constructed.