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Brightshores says it is committed to cancer care in region and is working to fill vacant oncologist position
Published Jan 09, 2026 • 6 minute read
Brightshores Health System’s Owen Sound hospital. Photo by Rob Gowan /Postmedia NetworkArticle content
A local organization that advocates for public not-for-profit health-care in Grey and Bruce counties is raising concerns about the future of the cancer centre at the hospital in Owen Sound.
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But Brightshores Health System, which runs the cancer centre in Owen Sound, said it is focused on securing the staff it needs to strengthen and grow the regional cancer program.
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The Grey Bruce Health Coalition intends to hold town halls and rallies later this winter to about what it sees as a crisis affecting cancer diagnosis, screening and care for the residents of the region.
Brenda Scott, chair of the coalition, said there is a fair amount of concern in the area about cancer care, and they want provincial government support to help ensure the services are offered in the area in the future.
“We are not necessarily blaming any service or any individual, but we do think it would be important for the provincial government to do a study and find out what are the issues that are either delaying or compromising cancer care in the area,” Scott said. “What can they do to help this rural community?”
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The concerns are rooted in an oncologist shortage locally that led Brightshores to announce last year that it would send some new cancer patients to hospitals out of the area to ease the burden on the two oncologists at its cancer centre. Brightshores announced last month that it was no longer redirecting patients to other hospitals as of early September after a part-time oncologist had been secured. They also recently welcomed a second nurse practitioner to the team, the corporation said.
Pat Kelly, a local resident, cancer centre patient and local health-care advocate, raised concerns in October about the staffing struggles at the centre. She filed a complaint with the Ontario Patient Ombudsman on Oct. 21, outlining concerns about governance, transparency, staffing shortages and disruptions to cancer services.
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Kelly said in a brief e-mail on Wednesday that a meeting with senior officials at Brightshores went very well and change can be expected soon.
Scott said Tuesday that there are concerns the ongoing issues around a shortage of primary care providers along with the shortage of oncologists at the cancer centre will delay diagnoses. She also worries about the impact if people are referred to a community far away from home.
“You know that what we have gone through lately with weather, that can often be an extra challenge along with the additional costs,” said Scott. “If you get referred to London, Kitchener or wherever and you have to drive there and it is late in the day, you might have an overnight stay, which will increase the cost, the risk and all of that.”
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In November 2024, Brightshores announced that new cancer patients other than those with lung, colorectal and breast cancer would be redirected to the closest centre in Barrie, Kitchener and London for care.
The move, which was to see about 20 cancer patients per month leaving Grey-Bruce for care, was made to relieve the workload of the cancer centre’s two oncologists. The department, which saw more than 600 new referrals in the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2024, requires the equivalent of 3 ½ oncologist positions to meet the demand, Brightshores officials said at the time. A vacancy in the department hadn’t been filled in four years.
Brightshores provided a statement earlier this week from Beth Morris, vice-president of clinical programs and quality and chief nursing executive, in which she stressed their commitment to strengthening cancer care across the region.
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“The Brightshores Cancer Centre team delivers exceptional, compassionate care to people throughout Grey Bruce, and we’re building on the strong foundation as we enhance and expand our program,” said Morris.
“We understand how important it is for individuals to receive high-quality cancer care close to home. That’s why we’re investing in the people, technology and resources needed to support patients and families right here in our local communities.”
Morris said Brightshores is focused on securing a third permanent medical oncologist and pursuing opportunities to grow and strengthen the regional cancer program.
“We’re actively engaged with several strong candidates for the Medical Oncologist position and are confident we’ll find the right fit for our community,” said Morris. “Recruitment in a rural setting takes thoughtful effort, and we’re approaching it with both urgency and intention.”
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Brightshores was able to bring on a part-time medical oncologist who provides services three days a week, which has helped keep care stable for patients and staff. As of September, the full-time service model at the cancer centre has been fully restored and patients are no longer being redirected to partner hospitals.
A second nurse practitioner was also recently welcomed to the centre, adding advanced nursing skills and strengthening their patient-centred approach, Morris said.
“Our cancer centre consistently meets, and often surpasses, provincial standards for patients to be seen within two weeks of referral,” Morris said. “This level of timely access reflects our dedication to delivering the best possible care when it matters most.”
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She said Brightshores is grateful for the support of the medical community, their partners, the Southwest Regional Cancer Program which oversees cancer care in southwestern Ontario, and the public.
“Brightshores is an exceptional place for medical professionals who want to make a meaningful impact, and we’re confident about the future of cancer care in our region,” Morris said.
As a member of the provincial Ontario Health Coalition network, Scott said she understands the issue of staffing pressures on cancer care services in rural areas is not just a Grey-Bruce problem. They have talked to people at area seniors groups about the issue and they also share the coalition’s concerns.
“I know they are trying to recruit, but the way recruitment goes in this province, it means they have to compete with other communities,” said Scott. “In some other provinces, the province will have a service that will help communities in recruitment situations, but here everybody is on their own, it is every community for themselves and they have to compete.
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“It is very difficult for the smaller areas, the rural areas, to compete sometimes with the larger centres that have more money, more opportunities to offer, and it does put the rural communities at a real disadvantage.”
Scott said she remains hopeful that the Ontario government can provide some assistance. She said she would like to see Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers support the cause at Queen’s Park, and would like anyone who has contacts in the Conservative government to also voice their concerns.
Vickers said he is aware of the matter, has met with Brightshores president and CEO Ann Ford about it, and is confident they are doing what they can to address the issue and add another oncologist. He said any suggestion of governance and transparency issues by the hospital corporation in regards to the matter is unfair.
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“Brightshores is working hard to provide a level of service and a level of care in Bruce and Grey counties and I don’t think it is a fair analysis of what is going on,” said Vickers.
The MPP acknowledged that there is a doctor shortage in the province, but the funding is in place to staff the service.
“There is funding for three oncologists, but you just can’t pull these people out of thin air,” said Vickers, adding that the issue of doctor shortages in the province is long-running one and the government is addressing the matter through investment and increasing medical school seats.
“It is a big ship, it takes a while to turn it and it is going to take a while to turn it back around, but I don’t believe Brightshores is not doing as much as they possibly can,” Vickers said.
The Grey Bruce Health Coalition, which has more than 750 members, hopes to bring more awareness to the issue at town hall meetings throughout Grey and Bruce counties. The group is currently exploring venues and dates, which will be announced when finalized. Scott expects some town halls to take place in late January or early February.
“We could perhaps have people speak out if they have a concern or an issue, or if they have been very satisfied with the service they have received they can talk about that. We are not just asking for complaints,” Scott said.
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