For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, November 20, 2002

GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance Welcomes Funding Announcement at OHA Convention

The GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance commends the Minister of Health and Long Term Care, Tony Clement for his recognition of the serious struggles faced by hospitals in the high growth communities of the GTA/905.

"We were pleased with the Minister's announcement of $350 million to help address this year's hospital deficits," says Healthcare Alliance Chair Jane Watson. "Alliance hospitals also welcome the government's commitment to fixing the funding base and moving forward with multi-year funding," she says.

"We expect that the government's third party review of our operating budgets will recognize our real funding pressures and provide sustainable base funding for GTA/905 hospitals to deal with the challenges of a rapidly growing population," stresses Watson.

"Minister Clement has been a long time advocate for GTA/905 Hospitals and we appreciate his considerable effort at Cabinet to help our hospitals attain the additional money we need to continue to provide quality patient care," she says.

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The GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance is a group of eleven hospital corporations from the regions of Durham, Halton, Peel, York and surrounding areas. Alliance hospitals include: Halton Healthcare Services, Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, Lakeridge Health Corporation, Markham Stouffville Hospital, Rouge Valley Health System, Southlake Regional Health Centre, The Credit Valley Hospital, Trillium Health Centre, Whitby Mental Health Centre, William Osler Health Centre, and York Central Hospital.