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PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQUÉ

Michael Chan, MPP Dr. , MPP , MPP Markham-Unionville Oak Ridges-Markham Richmond Hill , MPP Chris Ballard, MPP Vaughan Newmarket-Aurora

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ontario Improving Access to Care in York Region Province Increasing Investment in Hospitals to Support Patients and Families

NEWS November 25, 2016

Ontario is improving access to care in York Region, helping to reduce wait times and support increased access to services that patients and families rely on.

Dr Helena Jaczek, MPP Oak Ridges-Markham and Reza Moridi, MPP Richmond Hill were at Markham Stouffville Hospital in Markham to highlight the new investment. Markham Stouffville Hospital, Mackenzie Health Centre and Southlake Regional Health Centre are receiving an additional $5.4 million this year to improve access to care and reduce the length of hospital stays for patients and families in York Region.

Recently announced in the 2016 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, the new investment from the province ensures that all public hospitals in Ontario have received, at a minimum, a two per cent increase to their base funding this year. Additional funding has been provided to hospitals to support population growth and changing health care needs in their communities.

Improving access to hospital services is part of the government’s plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care, which provides patients with faster access to the right care; better home and community care; the information they need to live healthy; and a health care system that is sustainable for generations to come.

QUOTES

"Today's announcement is helping to ensure that Ontarians, including those in my riding of Oak Ridges-Markham, are able to receive essential health care services where they need them, when they need them while helping to improve our system's responsiveness and efficiency.” — Dr. Helena Jaczek, M.P.P., Oak Ridges-Markham

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“I am pleased that our government has committed to investing an additional $140 million in the hospital sector for 2016/17 in order to ensure that hospitals in our communities become more efficient and provide improved patient care – strengthening our overall healthcare system, both in Richmond Hill and across the province. With this additional funding, Mackenzie Health, which serves a population of over half a million people, will continue to provide patients with a world- class health experience through enhanced access to quality patient care ” – Reza Moridi, M.P.P., Richmond Hill

“This additional financial support recognizes the challenges faced by hospitals in fast-growing communities like Markham. Investing to improve patient experience is a high priority for our government and this funding will provide more resources for the dedicated staff at Markham Stouffville Hospital who work hard every day to deliver the highest quality of care.” — Michael Chan, M.P.P., Markham-Unionville

“With the additional investment of $140 million, Ontario hospitals will ensure our local communities have increased access to service while maintaining a high level of care as they continue to support the growing demand and changing health care needs of our aging population.” — Steven Del Duca, M.P.P., Vaughan

“Improving wait times and support for families is very important to the residents of Newmarket- Aurora and to all Ontarians. We are fortunate to have Southlake Regional Health Centre here in Newmarket providing essential services. This new funding will continue to build Ontario up and put patient’s first.” — Chris Ballard, M.P.P., Newmarket-Aurora

“In recent years, hospitals have become more efficient while improving patient care, even as they face increased demand for services. Through this additional investment, our government is committed to ensuring hospitals maintain a high level of care to address the increased health care needs of a growing and aging population.” — Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

“On behalf of the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), I would like to thank the Government of Ontario for supporting hospitals with this needed investment as they work to provide care to patients under challenging circumstances. The resources made available, thanks to today’s announcement, will help ensure continued access to high quality health services in communities across Ontario.” – Anthony Dale, President and CEO, Ontario Hospital Association

“This investment acknowledges the rapid population growth in York Region, and will support our hospitals to address issues of capacity as patient volumes grow. Through this new funding, patients and families across the Central LHIN will benefit from continued access to essential health care services within their community hospital.” — Kim Baker, CEO, Central LHIN

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“Investment in healthcare is a long-term investment in the health of communities across the province. This increased funding will allow us to see more patients and allow more people to receive care in their community, close to home. As an organization, we are committed to using all of our resources to deliver the programs and services that our patients need.” — Jo-anne Marr, President and CEO, Markham Stouffville Hospital

QUICK FACTS

 Ontario is investing an additional $140 million in public hospitals across the province to ensure that they continue to meet the growing needs of their local communities. This new funding builds on an increase of more than $345 million for Ontario’s hospitals as part of the 2016 Budget.  According to a recent report from the Fraser Institute, Ontario has the shortest median wait times to see a specialist in the country. The province has committed to further reducing specialist wait times in The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care’s most recent mandate letter.  There are 147 public hospitals in Ontario.  This year’s $51.8 billion health care budget is a 2.1 per cent increase over last year – greater than the rate of inflation.

LEARN MORE

2016 Ontario Budget

Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care

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For more information, please contact:

Michael Chan, M.P.P., Markham-Unionville 905-305-1935 Dr. Helena Jaczek, M.P.P., Oak Ridges-Markham 905-294-4931 Reza Moridi, M.P.P., Richmond Hill 905-884-8080 Steven Del Duca, M.P.P., Vaughan 905-893-4428 Chris Ballard, M.P.P., Newmarket-Aurora 905-750-0019