Good afternoon, and thank you, Mr. Chair.
My name is Moira Grant, and I am the director of research with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science, or CSMLS. I appreciate the opportunity to be here today in the context of your 2009 pre-budget consultations.
CSMLS is the national certifying body for medical laboratory technologists and medical laboratory assistants, and the national professional society for Canada's medical laboratory professionals. I would like to highlight for you the vital role that medical laboratory professionals play in the maintenance of Canadians' health. Whether it is a blood test, a throat swab, or a biopsy, tests performed by medical laboratory professionals provide crucial information about an individual's health. In fact, up to 85% of physicians' decisions are based on medical laboratory test results. Medical laboratory professionals are also on the front line of our public health system, protecting you and your family from emerging infectious diseases such as H1N1.
Some of you may also be surprised to learn that as a group our profession is the third largest health care profession in Canada. A lack of understanding of the key role medical laboratory professionals play in providing Canadians with quality health care leads to a lack of the focus and investment that could resolve critical health human resource challenges related to our profession.
Presently, Canada is facing a nationwide shortage of medical laboratory technologists or MLTs. In 2001, CSMLS issued a report predicting that over half of Canada's medical laboratory technologists would be eligible to retire by the year 2015. Since 2001, provincial and federal governments have taken steps to address shortages of MLTs. Existing education programs for medical laboratory technologists have been expanded and new programs opened.
We are pleased at the progress that has been made, but at the same time we recognize that there is still much to be done. We are calling on the federal government to take leadership in implementing the action plan proposed in 2005 in the Framework for Collaborative Pan-Canadian Health Human Resources Planning. CSMLS is urging investments in four key areas, which are mentioned in the action plan.
First, we call for investments in clinical education. We are currently in the situation where clinical sites, primarily hospital labs, are refusing to accept students because of staffing shortages. It has become a vicious cycle. They can't take students because they're too busy due to staffing shortages, and they're short of staff because there aren't enough new graduates. To help resolve this, funds should be targeted for dedicated clinical preceptors to support on-site clinical education. We are recommending the immediate establishment of 140 clinical preceptor positions across Canada at an estimated cost of $10 million.
Second, we call for investments in bridging programs for internationally educated medical laboratory technologists. We have clear evidence that internationally educated MLTs who complete a bridging program are more likely to pass the national certification examination. By providing targeted, long-term, and sustainable funding for these programs, governments can help qualified professionals enter the Canadian workforce in a more timely fashion.
Third, we call for investments in initiatives promoting the quality of work and life. We believe the best way to recruit and retain health care professionals is to create healthy, supportive workplaces. Of particular concern to us is the lack of full-time employment opportunities for new graduates in medical laboratory science.
Fourth, we call for investments in recruitment into the medical laboratory profession. We recommend the establishment of a national scholarship fund to support students entering medical laboratory science programs.
I understand that health and education are primarily areas of provincial jurisdiction. But as we've seen recently with H1N1, illness and disease don't respect borders or boundaries. We firmly believe that the federal government has a responsibility to protect the health and well-being of its citizens. Making investments in health human resources today will help ensure that Canadians continue to have access to high-quality medical laboratory testing in the future.
Thank you for your time and attention.