QUEEN’S PARK – NDP Leader Andrea Horwath today demanded the McGuinty government get its health care house in order and improve palliative care for Ottawa-area residents.
During Question Period, she referenced remarks from a renowned palliative care expert who publicly stated that there exists a “big, big gap” when it comes to decent end-of-life care in Ottawa. This gap is putting unnecessary pressure on local hospitals and causing canceled surgeries and long waits in emergency rooms.
“The irony is that treating palliative patients outside hospitals saves taxpayers money because it frees up vital hospital resources for patients in need of critical care,” said Horwath.
“It’s not just dollars and cents that our health care system needs; it’s common sense and innovation. Building palliative care capacity improves the system and saves money,” she pointed out.
“This government had years to move forward with pragmatic, cost-saving innovations like these. Yet this government still refuses to act,” she noted.
“Ottawa families have already been told to brace for cuts – 100 hospital beds at the Ottawa Hospital alone are on the chopping block – because the McGuinty Liberals would rather hand out consulting contracts to their friends than invest in health care.”
