Local Health Integration Networks Must Take Action to Address GTA/905 Hospital Underfunding

Toronto:  The GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance is calling on the leadership of the new Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) to take action on the hospital funding gap facing residents of the GTA/905. 

 вЂњResidents in the GTA/905 region still receive the lowest per capita funding for hospital services in the province,” said Tariq Asmi, Executive Director of the GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance.  “The four LHINs that contain the GTA/905 are the lowest funded on a per capita basis, and the funding gap has only grown larger in the past three years.” 

 The Alliance is concerned that the inadequate funding for hospital services in the four LHINs will mean that the LHIN boards and CEOs may have to consider service rationalization or consolidation, further limiting access to hospital services for residents in the GTA/905. 

 вЂњThe issue of fair per capita hospital funding for GTA/905 residents is a long-standing issue and we’re still waiting for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to address this inequity”, said Kirk Corkery, Chair of the GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance.  “The government recently announced multi-year hospital funding that ignored high growth regions and did not address the historic funding gap facing hospitals in the GTA/905.  Today’s announcement on LHINs, combined with the government’s focus on balanced budgets for hospitals, causes us great concern that the needs of our residents continue to be ignored and that access to service will be under further threat.” 

 The GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance is the collective voice of acute care and mental health hospitals across the GTA/905 region – from Oshawa to Burlington and north to Newmarket.  Alliance hospitals provide care in communities representing more than 25 per cent of Ontario’s population.  The GTA/905 area is the fastest growing region in Ontario, accounting for more than half of Ontario’s annual population growth.  The GTA/905 Alliance represents the more than three million residents in the region to ensure that they get better care close to home.

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