MPP’s priority must be access to health care

We were pleased to see the federal and Ontario governments reach an agreement to provide additional funding for Ontario’s health-care system over the next decade.

As this agreement comes to fruition, we’re going to judge our provincial government’s performance in two areas.

First, we must see an ironclad commitment that the health-care system in Ontario remains a public system.

We must ensure that the motive of healing the sick is never replaced by the motive of padding the bottom line. As we pursue innovative approaches, we must ensure that nothing is done that erodes our public healthcare system. Private health care and innovation are not synonymous — a renewed public system is in the best interest of Ontarians and all Canadians.

Second, we must ensure that our local MPP Dave Smith’s priority is that all residents in our community have better access to health care.

How many of the thousands of Peterborough residents who do not have a family doctor will get one as a result of the new federal health investments and in what time?

When can we expect wait times at our emergency departments to be meaningfully reduced and when will excessive off-load delays be eliminated at PRHC?

When will we begin to pay our health-care professionals a fair wage and ensure there are sufficient doctors and nurses so people are not working excessive hours, burning out and leaving their professions?

Will the billions of new dollars translate into new investments in preventative health care in our community? Will it mean more money for Peterborough Public Health and less demand on local taxpayers?

Will the government fund the establishment of innovative models of practice, so that doctors and nurses and other health-care professionals can find the appropriate balance between work and other life commitments?

What metrics will be used to measure success and, specifically, how much will be invested in the PeterboroughKawartha community?

Mr. Smith and the Conservatives have the responsibility to address our health care in Peterborough-Kawartha. We expect the delivery of innovative solutions, adequately funded and directed to helping the residents of our area.

Mr. Smith, your community is counting on you.

Wayne Cornack, president, Peterborough-Kawartha Provincial Liberal Association