The Ontario government is preparing to shift more publicly funded tests and procedures to private clinics.
Health Minister Sylvia Jones says starting this spring, the province will expand the number of community surgical and diagnostic centres licensed to deliver OHIP insured services, including more MRI/CT scans, GI endoscopies, and orthopedic surgeries.
“When it comes to reducing wait times for surgeries, we aren’t accepting a status quo that leaves too many people waiting too long for care,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Instead, our government is expanding community surgical and diagnostic centres so we can reduce wait times by doing more surgeries in state-of-the-art, convenient and safe facilities, always paid for by your OHIP card never your credit card.”
The government is also proposing regulatory changes that would name Accreditation Canada as the inspection body responsible for ensuring the highest quality standards and strong oversight of the 900+ current and all future community surgical and diagnostic centres, effective April 1st.
Over the coming weeks, Jones says the province will consult with health care sector partners, regulatory colleges representing providers, and patients and families on the development of the new oversight and quality assurance program.
People are encouraged to submit any questions or feedback on the proposed regulatory changes to surgicalfeedback@ontario.ca