Putting Patients at Risk: Interviews with Ontario Paramedics on the Consequences of Closing Local Emergency Departments A new report, based on interviews with 50 paramedics across Ontario, on what the provincial government’s planned emergency room closures would mean for patient care in communities across the province. The report will address the following questions:
What do paramedics think of the Ontario government’s plan to close small and rural hospital emergency rooms?
Can paramedics really replace hospital emergency rooms?
What are the implications for patients and customers of ambulance services?
Is Health Spending Out of Control? Dr. Gordon Guyatt of McMaster University busts myths about health spending and uses facts to prove that Canadian health spending is stable and that privatization costs more and generates worse health outcomes.
Garlic Fundraiser For the second year in a row the OHC is selling organic, locally grown, gourmet garlic. By ordering garlic with us, you are supporting our vital work and you are also supporting your good health and local farmers by purchasing fresh, organic and Ontario grown garlic. This year you have three garlic options to choose from. Please download both sheets below and send us your order form and payment by July 15, 2009.
Long Term Care: Final Response to Draft Regulations Updated June 5 For those of you who are particularly concerned about long term care homes, please find attached the draft OHC response to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care draft regulations under the new Long Term Care Homes Act. The draft regulations will replace the current regulations under the Acts governing for-profit, non-profit and municipal long term care homes, and the Facility Program Manual. Please feel free to copy, distribute, or use the attached materials for your own submissions. The deadline for submissions or comments to the Ministry regarding the draft regulations is June 5. Click here for our action alert containing information on how to send your input to the government and click below for our detailed response to the government’s proposal.
Long Term Care: Letter to David Caplan The following letter has been sent to the Minister of Health regarding his decision to move towards finalizing the draft regulations before the results of the Ontario Ombudsman's investigation into long term care homes sector is released. Please send in your letters as soon as possible. The Minister has set the deadline for submissions regarding the regulations for Friday, June 5.
OHC Newsletter – May 2009 This issue of our newsletter “THE PULSE” includes a report on our Queen’s Park Rally to save rural hospitals and news about the new long term care draft regulations from the government.
Long Term Care Homes: High Level Briefing and One Day Conference This March the Ontario Health Coalition and the Alliance of Seniors/Older Canadians Network hosted a conference on regulating Long Term Care Homes to improve care which reviewed the recent history of LTC in Ontario, critical issues, best and worst practices, and prospects for the future. Below is a presentation on the US nursing home sector by Toby Edelman M.Ed., JD, Senior Policy Attorney, Centre for Medicare Advocacy, Washington D.C., and an
overview of the situation in Ontario by OHC Director Natalie Mehra.
Students for Medicare Conference Students for Medicare held a one day conference in March 2008. If you’re interested in joining the group contact studentsformedicare@gmail.com.
Budget Will Not Help Save Hospitals From Closures, Cuts “This budget does not provide even what is needed to maintain existing services, or save our local hospitals from major cuts,” noted Dora Jeffries, coalition co chair. “In hard economic times hospital closures, cuts to services and lay offs are the worst possible option. In many communities, the local hospital is vital to economic development. McGuinty is risking important hospital capacity for the long term by underfunding the hospital system. ”