Thursday, March 28, 2024

Timer

Ontario unveils 3-step plan to invest in private health care

First Published:

Ontario is expanding the private delivery of public health care in an effort to eliminate the growing surgical backlog.

In Monday’s announcement, Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones discussed the province’s three-step plan to reduce wait times for surgeries and procedures.

“Our government is taking bold action to reduce wait times for surgeries, all while ensuring Ontarians use their [Ontario Health Insurance Plan] card to get the care they need, never their credit card,” Ford says.

READ MORE: Premier Ford, Health Minister to discuss health-care privatization

However, critics are concerned about how the plan may impact hospital staffing and say patients sometimes have to pay out of pocket for add-ons at the private clinics.

Jones says the first stage of the plan includes adding 14,000 cataract surgeries through new partnerships at centres in Windsor, Kitchener-Waterloo and Ottawa.

She adds that Ontario is investing $18 million in existing centres across the province for MRI and CT scans, cataract surgeries and low complexity orthopedic surgeries such as knee and hip replacements.

Future steps in the plan include expanding the scope of private surgical and diagnostic centres, such as more colonoscopy and endoscopy procedures, as well as expanding surgeries at clinics for hip and knee replacements by 2024.

READ MORE: Hamilton’s Mayor and Ontario’s Premier meet to discuss future of the city

More Top News

Over 300K public sector workers earn more than $100K; OPG CEO tops the list

The five top paid public employees in the province are all at Ontario Power Generation, with the CEO earning $1.9 million last year. The so-called...

Halton police arrest man in connection to break-ins in Georgetown

Halton police say they've arrested a man in connection to two separate break-ins that occurred in Georgetown. On March 25, officers were called out to...

31-year-old Niagara man facing weapon charges following arrest with BB gun

A Niagara man is facing several charges after he was found to be conceal-carrying a loaded pellet gun during his arrest. Authorities say they were...

Parents outraged by changes to Niagara’s school bus transportation policy

Changes to the Niagara Region's school bus transportation policy has left many parents outraged. Starting Sept. 3, the walk distance for secondary students will be...

1 person in critical condition after house fire in Hamilton’s east end

One person has been hospitalized in critical condition after they were found without vital signs in a burning home in Hamilton’s east end Thursday...

Bullet casings confirm shooting occurred on Hamilton Mountain

The discovery of spent bullet casings has confirmed that a shooting took place on Hamilton Mountain late Tuesday, police say. Shortly after 8 p.m., officers...