NDP Leader Andrea Horwath joined thousands of Ontarians today to demand that Dalton McGuinty stop cuts to rural and small town hospitals and protect local health services.

“Right now, communities across Ontario are facing a crisis in healthcare under the McGuinty Liberals that we haven’t seen since the days of Mike Harris,” said Horwath.

“Small, rural and northern hospitals are facing closure and some of the services they provide are either being cut back or eliminated altogether. Communities are under siege and the McGuinty government appears uninterested in doing something about it.”

Today at Queen’s Park, thousands of seniors, patients and healthcare activists from across Ontario protested loudly and peacefully against hospital closures and service cutbacks.

Horwath addressed the throng and said the issue is especially important in light of the swine flu outbreak.

“Ontario Hospitals are already stretched to the limit. Many are already at capacity. Ontario’s healthcare system is bursting at the seams and would be challenged to cope with a surge in influenza cases. Yet the closures and cutbacks continue to be announced,” said Horwath.

New Democrats have called for adequate staffing in hospitals, public health units, and long-term care facilities. The McGuinty government’s failure to live up to its promises and properly staff the healthcare system has placed Ontarians at increased risk.

“New Democrats want to send a clear message to the McGuinty Liberals: Ontario’s small, rural, and northern hospitals deserve a real plan of support that recognizes the unique challenges and needs of the communities they serve. The McGuinty government cannot simply hide behind the Local Health Integration Networks. Ontarians deserve a healthcare system featuring local decision-making that is transparent and accountable,” said Horwath.