Tom Closson, CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association, brought dire warnings about the consequences of underfunding during his appearance before the legislature’s finance committee last week.
“The data strongly suggests that an increase of less than two per cent in hospital operating funding would undercut the government’s goals with respect to reducing wait times in emergency, undo much of the hard-won progress made to date in reducing surgical wait times and erode public confidence in the health care system,” he said.
Closson said the entire system is backing up, with 745 patients waiting in ERs right now for available beds.
The OHA CEO said these numbers are increasing particularly in the Greater Toronto Area, where a rapidly growing population is already straining the health care system.
Closson said about 30 hospitals are operating with close to $600 million in cash advances from the Ministry of Health – the only way those hospitals could meet payroll or pay their bills.
Premier Dalton McGuinty has said hospitals will receive an increase, but has not indicated how much it will be. This is a shift from his earlier position that health care would not be cut, suggesting a freeze was a distinct possibility.
Hospitals had been asked to prepare scenarios should a funding freeze be implemented. They have also been asked to prepare plans based on a one and two per cent increase in funding.
Many hospitals are beginning to take steps to prepare for the worst.
St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital sent a memo January 20th to staff and volunteers suggesting they were preparing for zero per cent funding. The memo includes plans to cut back hours in their outpatient laboratory service, diagnostics, and occupational health and wellness.
Despite appearing before the Central East LHIN to say no cuts to patient services would be necessary with a one per cent increase in funding, Rouge Valley Health System gave notice of layoff last week to three different bargaining units. That included 14 OPSEU health care professional positions. These cuts will impact laboratory, rehab, cardiac care, mental health, and diagnostic imaging.
OPSEU Diablogue 