KINGSTON – The McGuinty government has renewed an agreement with physicians of the Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Organization (SEAMO), a deal designed to retain Kingston-area physicians involved in research and training activities as well as providing patient care, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

"The work done by SEAMO physicians is critical to the residents of southeastern Ontario and in fact to all Ontarians," said Smitherman. "These are doctors who not only provide first-class patient care, but they also teach future doctors and work on new medical innovations through research."

The government is investing $79.3 million annually in the new three-year agreement - an increase of $3.1 million more than the previous deal - to provide continued funding stability for about 250 full-time physicians. The government has provided an alternate funding plan to SEAMO since 1994.

"Our government greatly values the work done by SEAMO physicians," said Kingston and the Islands MPP and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing John Gerretsen. "This agreement is going to ensure that they are able to keep improving the state of health care in Kingston and right across the province."

SEAMO is an association whose members are physicians with Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University, the Clinical Teachers' Association of Queen's University, The Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph's of the Hotel Dieu Hospital and Providence Continuing Care Centre (St. Mary's of the Lake Hospital).

"This new agreement shows a government commitment to ensure SEAMO maintains its excellence in providing access to the best health care professionals while we teach the physicians of tomorrow and make discoveries for the benefit of the public" said Dr. David Walker, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen's University and CEO of SEAMO.

This initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan to build a health care system that delivers on three priorities - providing better access to doctors and nurses, keeping Ontarians healthy, and reducing wait times.

For further information :

Members of the general public : (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154

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