Horwath plan will focus on healthcare fundamentals, cut ER wait times in half

TORONTO — Andrea Horwath, Leader of Ontario’s New Democrats, says after ten years of Liberal government patients with complex needs still spend more than 10 hours in ERs to get care they need.  The New Democrat Leader says it’s time to focus on the fundamentals and laid out her goal of cutting ER waits by half.

 

“Families waiting for hours in an ER are tired of seeing health dollars spent on CEO pay hikes and the multi-million dollars scandal at ORNGE. It’s time to focus on fundamentals to improve health care,” said Horwath.  “Our plan provides targeted investments that will make sure ER beds are available for ER patients and they can be seen quickly and effectively.  It’s a plan that makes sense.”

An NDP government will cut ER wait times in half by hiring 250 new nurse-practitioners, opening 50 new 24-hour family health clinics, creating 1,400 more long-term care beds, and implementing a 5 day home care guarantee.  These steps will keep ERs moving and make sure that Ontarians are getting the right care they need, when and where they need it, to reduce pressure on ERs.

“The Liberals have had ten years to fix ER wait times, but they haven’t delivered for families. The NDP plan will put patients first,” said Horwath.