QUEEN’S PARK – Ontario Liberals are calling on the Ford Government to take action to relieve stress on our healthcare system and frontline workers.
The summer is typically a time when the healthcare system takes a deep breath. This summer, that is not the case, because of unprecedented patient volumes, severity of patient cases and a new COVID-19 wave. Healthcare workers across the province have been sounding the alarm for months.
The consequences from running our system critically above capacity, the mass attrition of healthcare workers, and repeated waves of COVID-19 are overwhelming the system right now and increasing the likelihood of collapse in the fall.
“Doing nothing until legislature is recalled is not the answer. Asking nurses and doctors to work harder is not the answer. A long-term strategy is needed, but healthcare workers, patients and families need relief now. Doug Ford and his Government need to work as hard as Ontario’s healthcare workers to solve the crisis that is currently unfolding in our hospitals.”
– Dr. Adil Shamji, MPP-Elect for Don Valley East.
Ontario Liberals have outlined steps that should be taken immediately to relieve stress on the healthcare system and help prepare it for the fall:
- Prioritize recruitment and retention of healthcare workers by repealing Bill 124, increasing mental health supports and accelerating credentialing of foreign trained professionals.
- Relieve pressure on hospitals by increasing resources to primary care, community agencies and long-term care facilities.
- Deliver a vaccination, testing, and treatment strategy for COVID-19 now so that the staffing and infrastructure are in place by the fall.
- Implement public health measures to help patients stay safe from COVID, find care, and maximize vaccine uptake of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
- Commit to providing 10 paid sick days for all Ontarians.
“Every lever must be used to relieve pressure on Ontario’s health system and the time to act is now. The healthcare system isn’t getting a break this summer, and neither should Doug Ford’s Government.”
– John Fraser, MPP for Ottawa South.
Emergency Departments are collapsing now and yet the Ford Government remains silent. We need an all-hands-on-deck approach with all relevant Ministries articulating how they can relieve pressure on hospitals from their respective portfolios (Health, Long-Term Care, Mental Health and Addictions, Children, Community & Social Services, Seniors & Accessibility, and Finance).