Many Hospitals Spent Summer Under Surge Conditions, Even With Budget 2017 Investments
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TORONTO, Sept. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - With the Legislature reconvening today for its fall sitting, the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) is calling for rapid and aggressive new investment in hospital services, and services across the continuum, to avoid a possible capacity crisis within Ontario's healthcare system this winter.
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"Many hospitals have operated through the summer under very unusual and worrying surge conditions," said OHA President and CEO Anthony Dale. "The evidence strongly suggests that even with the 2017 Budget announcement, further investments are urgently needed this fiscal year in order to ensure timely access to services for patients.
This summer, wait times for patients admitted through emergency departments hit the highest monthly level recorded since the province started measuring wait times nine years ago. Many of the province's largest hospitals reported occupancy levels exceeding 100 per cent. While it is normal to see an increase in patient volumes in the winter months, this summer was unusually high, matching the sector's highly stressed January and February occupancy rates. Now, with weeks to go before flu season begins again, conditions strongly suggest that the healthcare system faces a real capacity crisis this winter without further action.
"Over the past 10 years Ontario's hospitals have embraced innovation and demonstrated remarkable resilience by absorbing hundreds of millions in new cost pressures and retooling their operations to improve their efficiency," said Dale. "The root of today's capacity challenge is that far too many frail elderly patients can't get access to the care they really need outside the hospital setting. The OHA supports the government's Patients First agenda but it will take time before the full effects of these reforms can be achieved."
With the Fall Economic Statement approximately 60 days away, and more provincial revenue than expected, the OHA recommends new in-year investment to stabilize and build new capacity in hospitals and across other health providers in order to ensure the healthcare system is better prepared to meet the needs of patients this winter. In addition, in the months ahead the OHA will be making further recommendations regarding health system capacity for the 2018 Ontario Budget, expected in the late winter or early spring next year.
About the Ontario Hospital Association
The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) is the voice of Ontario's public hospitals. Founded in 1924, the OHA uses advocacy, education and partnerships to build a strong, innovative and sustainable healthcare system for all Ontarians.
SOURCE Ontario Hospital Association
