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New postgraduate spots at Western will address gaps in care: med school dean

A provincial expansion of doctor training will mean 28 new postgraduate spots at Western University’s medical school, in addition to the 185 first-year positions already in place.

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A provincial expansion of doctor training will mean 28 new postgraduate spots at Western University’s medical school, in addition to the 185 first-year residency positions already in place.

John Yoo, dean of Western’s Schulich school of medicine and dentistry, said he welcomed the announcement.

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“This region is currently underserviced, and the addition of 28 new postgraduate medical education training spots will help address some of the gaps in care,” he said. “The decision to expand medical training will support the health-care needs in one of the fastest-growing provinces in the country.”

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On Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford announced 160 new undergraduate spots and 295 postgraduate positions over the next five years, in what the Progressive Conservative government says is the largest expansion of medical school undergraduate and postgraduate education in a decade.

The initiative is intended “to build a stronger, more resilient health-care system,” Ford said.

“We’ve already shored up domestic production of critical supplies like PPE and have added thousands more hospital beds,” he said. “Now, building on our work to recruit and retain nurses and personal support workers, we’re launching the largest expansion of medical education in 10 years.”

Yoo said he’s looking forward to receiving more information about the expansion, including “the timeframe and specialty areas to be increased.”

The medical and dental school, which has 171 first-year spots, provides “care and education for one of the largest geographic regions in the province,” he said.

All of Ontario’s six medical schools were included in the announcement of new medical seats, but more than one-third will go to Ryerson’s new school of medicine slated to open in Brampton in 2025.

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“This expansion will increase access to family and specialty physicians and other health-care professionals in every corner of the province to ensure that Ontarians can access the health care they need, when they need it, wherever they may live,” said Jill Dunlop, Ontario’s minister of Colleges and Universities.

The Ford government also said it is investing $342 million to add 5,000 registered nurses and registered practical nurses, as well as 8,000 personal support workers.

Ontario is also spending $57.6 million, beginning in 2022-23, to hire 225 nurse practitioners in the long-term care sector, Ford said.

hrivers@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/HeatheratLFP


WHO RECEIVED WHAT

Ryerson University: 80 undergraduate seats, 95 postgraduate positions

University of Toronto: 30 undergraduate seats, 45 postgraduate positions

Northern Ontario School of Medicine: 30 undergraduate seats, 41 postgraduate positions

Queen’s University: 20 undergraduate seats, 30 postgraduate positions

Western University, McMaster University and University of Ottawa: 28 postgraduate positions each

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