Lack of family doctors hurts disability applicants

Thunder Bay's family doctor shortage is affecting more than people's ability to get health care. It's also keeping many people from getting the financial support they need.

Darlene Veinot said she can only afford to eat once a day on her Ontario Works payments. But she's prevented from getting a job because of a back injury.

"I'm missing two discs," Veinot said. "And I have a muscle on the right side wrapped around the sciatic nerve. So that's very, very painful."

Staff at the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Board told Veinot she should be eligible for the higher-paying Ontario Disability Support Program. But she hasn't had a family doctor for the last 16 years, and her past medical records are nowhere to be found.