The provincial government announced the next phase of a plan to stabilize the health care system with its “Plan to Stay Open.”

Deputy Prime Minister, Sylvia Jones, made the announcement today in Toronto. She says the plan is a five-point plan meant to provide the best care possible to patients and residents while ensuring the resources and supports are in place to keep the province and economy open.

“When we released our first Plan to Stay Open in March 2022, we made a promise to build an Ontario that is ready for the challenges of tomorrow because we can no longer accept the status quo,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, in a statement. “The second phase of our plan will provide the support our health system needs to address the urgent pressures of today while preparing for a potential winter surge so our province and economy can stay open.”

The government says the next phase of the Plan to Stay Open will add up to 6,000 more health care workers, combined with initiatives included in the first phase that is adding 13,000 more staff. The plan will also free up over 2,500 hospital beds.

The plan also temporarily covers the costs of examination, application and registration fees for internationally trained and retired nurses.

Other highlights of the plan include preserving hospital capacity, reducing surgical waitlists, easing pressure on emergency departments, expanding Ontario’s health workforce and expanding 9-1-1 models of care.

“As actions in this plan are implemented in the coming weeks and months, Ontarians can expect to see faster access to health care, including lower wait times in emergency departments, lower wait times for surgical procedures and more care options right in their communities. Ontario will also significantly reduce the risk of a hospital bed shortage during a possible winter surge so that the province and economy can stay open,” the government said in a news release.