In Brief – More hospitals warn of cuts in the face of a funding freeze, LHIN becoming “bureaucrats?”

They lined up at the Central East LHIN January 19 to warn of impending cuts in the event of a funding freeze. Ontario Shores CEO Glenna Raymond says a freeze would take them from a $1 million surplus to a $4 million deficit. While $2 million could be found in “efficiencies” and increased hospital revenues (ie. parking rates), Raymond said they would have to cut services to balance their budget. Rik Ganderton, CEO of the Rouge Valley, said he would have to cut $2.5 million in services in the event of a freeze. Rouge needs to run a surplus to cover capital costs not funded by government. Last year Rouge spent $3.5 million to replace boilers at Scarborough Centenary Hospital. … Hospitals are not the only health providers in trouble. The Central East CCAC reported they couldn’t balance their budget until March 2011. CEO Don Ford told the CE LHIN he had a waiting list of 2,000 clients. The CCAC is only taking the most acute patients. CE LHIN Chair Foster Loucks said Ford had an unenviable job. He could have added, except for his. … Meanwhile, with no expectation they’ll actually get it, the CE LHIN has put together a business plan that calls for 10 additional staff. CEO Deborah Hammons she said she wanted the Ministry to know what it takes to get the work done. … At the same meeting Loucks expressed frustration over the ability of the LHIN to transfer funds based on local priorities. “I’m concerned that we’re being turned into bureaucrats here,” he said. OPSEU has argued from the start that the LHINs would be carrying out Ministry directives with very little local control. The Ministry, in turn, claims every unpopular decision is made by the LHIN. Some would say this is by design. Want to send the government a message about freezing hospital funding? Go to http://www.avoidingzero.ca