Ottawa area health-care workers react to Ontario throne speech
In a message to Ontarians about their plans for the province, the Ford government hinted at a “bold” new strategy for health care.
Some fear it’s the first steps on the path to privatization.
“As the province continues to pursue these [health care] reforms, it will not be limited by conventional thinking that stifles innovation and preserves a status quo that struggles to respond to growing challenges and changing needs. Instead, guided by the best evidence and the successes of other jurisdictions, your government will take bold action that prioritizes patients and their health above all else,” Ontario Lieutenant-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell read.
The province acknowledged the struggles affecting the health-care system across Ontario, including emergency room shutdowns in the capital, but pushed back against claims the system is in crisis.
The PC government says that nine out of 10 high-urgency patients are finishing their emergency visit within target times, and that surgeries at happening at 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
Ontario hospitals say it is thanks to the ability of health-care workers to pivot that they’re able to continue operating at an even higher capacity than pre-pandemic levels.
“It is short-staffed but running more beds than [Kingston Health Sciences Centre] did before the pandemic,” Dr. David Pichora, President and CEO of Kingston Health Sciences Centre said. “Short-staffed today really means we’re running a baseline number of beds that’s far greater than we ever did before the pandemic.”
The province highlighting the more than $40 billion being spent on health care, and the creation of more than 3500 new hospital beds, 30,000 long term care beds as well as the expansion of current hospitals like the $29 million allotted for new Civic campus In Ottawa.
The Ottawa Hospital said in a statement that it was pleased to see the Speech from the Throne highlight health care.
“The Ottawa Hospital is pleased to see that the provincial government is continuing to invest in our health-care system, as we work through the COVID-19 pandemic and plan for the future of health-care. We continue to work productively with the Ministry of Health to ensure that we provide high-quality care to everyone in need,” the statement said.
But health-care leaders say virtually every aspect of the system needs to be upgraded.
“We certainly need strategies for training and retaining or recruiting professionals. Physicians, nurses, RPNs, respiratory therapists, social workers, there’s a long list of people that we need to expand that capacity. We need to modernize our hospitals,” Dr. Pichota said.
Others are warning the new investments touted by the province will have little benefit if they cannot solve the root problems that have led to a health-care exodus.
“You can put as much money as you want into infrastructure in new beds, and new facilities and new training programs but if you’re not addressing the root cause of why are people not staying, all that money is for nothing,” Rachel Muir, a Register Nurse and the Bargaining President for the Ontario Nurses Association Local 83, said.
The province says it needs more help, calling on the federal government to increase health transfer from 22 per cent to 35 per cent.
Muir says the province needs to start by admitting the system is in crisis.
“How long do we have to keep repeating this message until it finally gets through? Honestly, I think we’re going to have to keep repeating it until people start to die. And that is coming,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.