QUEEN’S PARK – NDP Health Critic France Gélinas is demanding the McGuinty Liberal government immediately address the growing health care crisis in Ottawa.
At the Queensway-Carleton hospital, 9 of 14 planned surgeries last Friday were cancelled, the emergency room is backed up and the occupancy rate is at a staggering 113 per cent, noted Gélinas during today’s Question Period.
She also referred to the cutting of 190 nursing positions at the Ottawa Hospital.
“Unfortunately, this story is not a new one and is being repeated all across Ontario. What seems to be missing in health care is a thorough systems-based plan to properly address the needs of the local residents, in Ottawa and elsewhere,” said Gélinas.
She challenged Health Minister Deb Mathews to provide a rationale for the cuts.
“What does the Minister think these cuts will do for the increasing occupancy rate, the emergency room backups and the cancelled surgeries at Ottawa hospitals? Ontarians deserve better than this,” said Gélinas.
“Ontarians expect to see a solution from the Ministry of Health that ensures access to quality care across the system. It shouldn’t be too much to ask that this kind of planning takes place.”
