Brightshores says it is committed to cancer care in region and is working to fill vacant oncologist position<\/p>\n
Published Jan 09, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 6 minute read<\/p>\n
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Brightshores Health System’s Owen Sound hospital. Photo by Rob Gowan \/Postmedia NetworkArticle content<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d Scott said. \u201cWhat can they do to help this rural community?\u201d<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know that what we have gone through lately with weather, that can often be an extra challenge along with the additional costs,\u201d said Scott. \u201cIf 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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 \u00bd oncologist positions to meet the demand, Brightshores officials said at the time. A vacancy in the department hadn\u2019t been filled in four years.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe Brightshores Cancer Centre team delivers exceptional, compassionate care to people throughout Grey Bruce, and we\u2019re building on the strong foundation as we enhance and expand our program,\u201d said Morris.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand how important it is for individuals to receive high-quality cancer care close to home. That\u2019s why we\u2019re investing in the people, technology and resources needed to support patients and families right here in our local communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Morris said Brightshores is focused on securing a third permanent medical oncologist and pursuing opportunities to grow and strengthen the regional cancer program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re actively engaged with several strong candidates for the Medical Oncologist position and are confident we\u2019ll find the right fit for our community,\u201d said Morris. \u201cRecruitment in a rural setting takes thoughtful effort, and we\u2019re approaching it with both urgency and intention.\u201d<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
A second nurse practitioner was also recently welcomed to the centre, adding advanced nursing skills and strengthening their patient-centred approach, Morris said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur cancer centre consistently meets, and often surpasses, provincial standards for patients to be seen within two weeks of referral,\u201d Morris said. \u201cThis level of timely access reflects our dedication to delivering the best possible care when it matters most.\u201d<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrightshores is an exceptional place for medical professionals who want to make a meaningful impact, and we\u2019re confident about the future of cancer care in our region,\u201d Morris said.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know they are trying to recruit, but the way recruitment goes in this province, it means they have to compete with other communities,\u201d said Scott. \u201cIn 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.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Park, and would like anyone who has contacts in the Conservative government to also voice their concerns.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u201cBrightshores is working hard to provide a level of service and a level of care in Bruce and Grey counties and I don\u2019t think it is a fair analysis of what is going on,\u201d said Vickers.<\/p>\n
The MPP acknowledged that there is a doctor shortage in the province, but the funding is in place to staff the service.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is funding for three oncologists, but you just can\u2019t pull these people out of thin air,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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\u2019t believe Brightshores is not doing as much as they possibly can,\u201d Vickers said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d Scott said.<\/p>\n
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