Province’s three step plan a disaster for Ontarians: RNAO

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario is reacting to the provincial's government three step plan for healthcare, calling it a disaster for all Ontarians. 

Premier Doug Ford announced on Monday, Jan. 16 that the province will fund more procedures such as cataract surgeries, MRI and CT scans and hip and knee surgeries in the community in order to reduce wait lists and ease the pressures on hospitals.

The Ford government said it’s “leveraging community surgical and diagnostic centres” to eliminate surgical backlogs and reduce wait times.

Ford said the province will require new facilities to provide “detailed staffing plans” as part of an application and mandate a number of physicians at various centres to have active privileges at their local hospital.

The province outlined the three steps. Step one will include “urgently tackling the existing backlog for cataract surgeries,” which the government says is one of the longest waits for procedures.

Step two focuses solely on reducing wait times. The province says it will address regional needs with a continued emphasis on cataracts, MRI and CT imaging and colonoscopy and endoscopy procedures.

In step three, the Ford government says it plans to introduce legislation next month that will aim to allow existing community diagnostic centres to perform more MRI and CT scanning so residents can access publicly funded diagnostic services “faster and closer to home.

Dr. Doris Grinspun, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the RNAO, told The Sam Laprade Show on Jan. 17 that the province's plan means patients will be paying more for low quality care, adding it won't reduce wait times in the long run. 

“They will charge people, as much as the premier says no, they will offer people different goodies, even if they don't need them and charge them extra dollars,” she said. 

Dr. Grinspun said while the RNAO has no issues with not-for-profit clinics adjacent to hospitals, there are concerns with for profit, standalone clinics that focus on profit, rather than quality of care. 

She said some surgeries are not simple, and if something goes wrong, independent clinics are not equipped to deal with these issues, and will send the patient to the nearest intensive care unit if they can make it in time.

Grinspun said instead of putting money in the pockets of investors, the provincial government should focus on bringing in more human resources, particularly nurses, to publicly run hospitals and open operating rooms and diagnostics services 24/7.

Interim Ontario Liberal party leader John Fraser also expressed his frustration with the plan, saying the Ford government believes it to be a “panacea” for the challenges in the health care system. Fraser said the government should spend more time and resources focusing on other solutions.

“Invest in our hospitals,” said Fraser on The Sam Laprade Show. “Don't appeal the ruling on Bill 124. Don't keep driving nurses out of the system. That would be a good way for the premier to start.”

Fraser adds that getting wait times down requires “investing in the people who are going to do that for you,” and treating nurses and hospital staff with respect.

“And that begins with not appealing Bill 124.”

Listen to the full interview with Dr. Doris Grinspun below:

Listen to the full interview with John Fraser on The Sam Laprade Show below: