The People’s Health Care Act will help end hallway health care while building a modern, sustainable and integrated health care system
The Voice of Canada
Across Ontario, in communities like Durham, care is too fragmented, with patients, families and caregivers left to navigate their own way through the health care system with limited information. Digital tools lag and care options have not kept pace with the growing technological sophistication of Ontarians. Care providers are discouraged from working together as a team in support of better patient outcomes.
The People’s Health Care Act, 2019 is a key component of the government’s plan to change that. Ontario is building a modern, sustainable and integrated public health care system that is focused on the needs of patients and ending hallway health care. To mark the passing of this landmark legislation, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, was joined by Rod Phillips, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Peter Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board, Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby, and Lindsey Park, MPP for Durham, at Lakeridge Health – Ajax Pickering Hospital.
“The passage of The People’s Health Care Act means patients across Ontario will benefit from a connected health care system that puts them at the centre of care,” said Elliott. “Here in Durham, there are excellent examples of integrated care like the Carriage House Reactivation Program, which helps patients safely transition from hospital to home with individualized support from an interprofessional health team. The People’s Health Care Act will empower more care providers to work together and provide the high-quality and connected care Ontarians expect and deserve with the creation of Ontario Health Teams.”
The government is taking a comprehensive approach to ensure health care providers have the right tools, equipment and infrastructure so they are in the best position to become part of an integrated team and meet the growing health needs of their communities. That’s why Ontario also renewed its commitment to support the redevelopment of Lakeridge Health’s hospital sites as part of the overall $27 billion investment the government will make over the next 10 years in hospital infrastructure projects.
“If we expect real improvements that patients will experience first-hand, we need to also address the capacity pressures of the system and make sure we have the right mix of services, beds and digital tools,” said Elliott. “With these infrastructure investments for Lakeridge Health, we are protecting what matters most to Ontarians, easing pressures on hospitals and empowering nurses and doctors to provide better, faster health care for Ontario families and patients.”
“Lakeridge Health welcomes the opportunity to create a better connected health system focused on meeting the needs of the people we serve,” said Sharon Cochran, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Lakeridge Health. “We look forward to continuing our work with the Ontario government, our partners, patients and families to build an integrated health system for everyone living and working in Durham Region for generations to come.”
