December 1, 2008
Demographic Profile: Meaford and The Blue Mountains
- The Town of Blue Mountains is one of the fastest growing Municipalities in Ontario. The Canadian census of 2006 demonstrates a population increase of 11.6 per cent in the previous five years in comparison with the provincial average growth of 5 per cent. New data indicates that the 55+ population in our area is expected to increase by more than 40 per cent over the next 10 years. At the same time, we know The Blue Mountains has as many as 1500 citizens currently without a Family Physician.
- Meaford is situated six miles west of the Town of The Blue Mountains and has a total population of 10,945 with 85.6 per cent over the age of 15. The growth rate of Meaford, as shown by the 2006 census, is 1 per cent. Of the total population, 55 per cent are between the ages of 40 and 79. Meaford is the site of the local Hospital and provides primary care in-patient and Emergency Services to the citizens of Meaford and The Blue Mountains, as well as some residents of Chatsworth and Grey Highlands to the northwest.
- We are therefore planning our first Clinic, in The Blue Mountains, to accommodate a total of six physicians, that is, adding four additional Family Practitioners.
- The Canadian census of 2006 shows that in The Blue Mountains (population of 6,825), 87 per cent of the population is between the ages of 10 and 79 years of age. This creates the need for a diverse Family Practice approach to care, as the population spans the continuum of health issues from birth to care of the aged. Of this segment of the population, 54 per cent are between the ages of 40 and 74. The interesting difference in this community is that, due to the recreational nature of our environment, we attract many retirees who are looking for an active, diverse community that will help them maintain wellness and manage chronic disease. This changes the nature of the type of health care that our population is looking for, as these citizens are seeking the means to stay active and continue functioning as long as possible.
- The Town of The Blue Mountains is also influenced by the fact that there is a large influx of seasonal visitors to this renowned recreational area of the province. The census demonstrates that for every permanent resident in the municipality, there are 1.4 seasonal residents. This drives the need for our health services to be able to respond to the health needs of vacationers, part-time residents and those who live in the area on a seasonal basis. Medical Staffing of the Emergency services at the Meaford Hospital is an essential component of meeting the needs of both permanent and seasonal residents of the area.
- Another major factor that influences the delivery of health care in the region is the rural nature of the community setting. In the Southwest Local Health Integration Network of which The Blue Mountains and Meaford are a part, almost one-third of the population lives in a “rural setting”. The rural nature of the area creates particular challenges as it relates to access to care and socio-economic status. The Environmental scan (2006) done by the Southwest LHIN is an excellent source for understanding the population of the area, the effects of many factors on the level of health care needed, and the status of health care delivery in the region. See www.southwestlhin.ca