Health Archives - QP Briefing

Province invests in virtual medical visits to lighten load of overcrowded hospitals

The announcement follows the layoff of nine executives as part of the consolidation of Local Health Integration Networks into Ontario Health. ...

Head of OMA concerned about ‘fair process’ as government cracks down on doctor OHIP billing

OMA President Dr. Sohail Gandhi said he supports transparency in doctors' billing, but that the government's plan is "extreme." ...

Ontario Nurses’ Association calls on federal leaders to implement national anti-violence strategy

The message is part of the ONA's "Nurses Vote" election campaign, which also calls for universal pharmacare and national standards for long-term care. ...

Stakeholders looking for more patient engagement, community services from province’s new mental health strategy

The government's new mental health and addictions strategy will hopefully release sometime this fall, Michael Tibollo said. ...

Ministry of Health vows to begin hiring permanent patient health-care advisory council soon

Former PFAC member David Fasano said the government hasn't adequately planned for succession, ignoring a plan from its initial members. ...

Parents say children ‘coughing up blood’ due to vaping: Christine Elliott

Elliott said she is treating vaping a "priority matter" and that she is "not going to sit around and look at statistics for months and months on end.” ...

Ministry of Health to begin search for patient ombudsman 19 months after current health minister left the position

The office's executive director, Craig Thompson, told QP Briefing he had no idea the government would be starting the search soon. ...

Only 15 per cent of Ontario hospitals in ‘good’ condition, Christine Elliott says

The rating is based on the province's Facility Condition Assessment Program. About 65 per cent of Ontario hospitals are in "poor" or "replace" condition. ...

‘Groundhog Day’: More than 100 Toronto doctors sign letter urging province to reverse new public health cuts

Board of Health Chair Joe Cressy said the cuts will cost Toronto $14 million per year, and $4.3 million in the first year despite mitigation measures. ...

AMO 2019: Municipalities ‘very receptive’ to greater naloxone access, presenters say

Asked whether he got any pushback to naloxone from municipalities, Adapt Pharma general manager David Renwick said there was “absolutely none” ...

New report details effects of climate change on children’s health as environment remains top of mind for voters

The campaign asks Ontarians to take a pledge to stay informed about climate change, share and support action against it. ...

NDP urges Ontario not to cut wage boost programs for some caregivers

Horwath called for another phase of the public inquiry into long-term care in Ontario spurred by health-care serial killer Elizabeth Wettlaufer. ...

Public inquiry into killer nurse Wettlaufer says government must boost long-term care funding to prevent more murders

Report author Justice Eileen Gillese said the killings would not have been discovered had Elizabeth Wettlaufer not confessed. ...

NDP proposes opt-out organ donation system to increase donor rates

Researchers have found that the "default view" of a given country has a strong impact on number of people who sign up to be organ donors. ...

Elliott promises ad blitz to promote vaccinations, combat myths ahead of ‘difficult’ flu season

Anti-vaccination misinformation "still is a problem," Health Minister Christine Elliott said. The province and Toronto Public Health say they'll fight back. ...

‘It may take a little bit longer’: Elliott walks back Ford promise to end hallway health-care in a year

Elliott said she and Ford have spoken about his comments. She did not answer when asked twice whether he told her in advance about the promise. ...

Ford promises to end hallway health-care in a year, though critics say his government will cause it to ‘worsen over time’

A spokesperson for Health Minister Christine Elliott did not say whether the one-year promise was previously discussed with the minister. ...

‘Funding must be restored’: Former health ministers from all three major parties demand Elliott reverse public health cuts

"If the government wants to end hallway medicine, as you have pledged, one of the best ways to do that is to actually invest more, not less, in public health," their open letter reads. ...

Government’s ‘appropriateness’ proposals in OMA negotiations spark fear of health-care cuts

A six-month-old government proposal concerning colonoscopies sparked concern and outrage this week. ...

Rising health-care costs make promise to balance budget without tax increases a ‘significant challenge,’ watchdog warns

The FAO also looked at the fiscal impact of the new physician services agreement. ...

Hospital association proposes major home-care shake up in pre-budget consultations

The Ontario Hospital Association is recommending the province take Local Health Integration Networks out of the equation in arranging home care. ...

Ontario to produce enough of a key medical isotope to supply all of North America

The partnership between OPG and BWXT represents the first large-scale commercial production of molybdenum-99. ...

Ford touts Tory health-care plan at semi-private health clinic

The PCs say Ford is committed to Ontario's public health care. ...

NDP announces public funding for take-home cancer drugs

The cancer-drug promise is separate from the NDP's pharmacare plan, which would cover the cost of some essential medications, starting with 125 common drugs. ...

Cabinet minister accuses Doug Ford of ‘lying’ about his past comments on autistic youth

Children and Youth Services Minister Michael Coteau drew comparisons between Ford and U.S. President Donald Trump. ...

Sponsored Content: Alzheimer Society calls for continued commitment to dementia strategy funding in 2018 budget

Preschoolers to get free child care, premier announces

The government's $2.2-billion, three-year plan will likely be a cornerstone in the Liberal budget, as opposition lawmakers warn the "Oprah"-esque move comes too late. ...

Province announces up to $2.4 billion for new care centre at SickKids Hospital

The cash for a pair of new buildings at the Toronto hospital comes amid an outcry over hospital overcrowding and dated facilities. ...

Wynne announces OHIP+ expansion for seniors in pre-election promise

Ontarians 65 and over would no longer have to pay deductibles. ...

Dental health groups welcome NDP’s ‘Ontario Benefits’ plan, say important details still to be determined

Meanwhile, both the Liberals and the PCs have signalled they might promise some kind of dental care, but haven't nailed down the details. ...

Liberals, NDP spar over health-care horror stories

The health minister hit back Thursday, accusing the NDP of "putting politics over patients." ...

Premier declines to comment on PCs, but suggests questions to ask them

Kathleen Wynne also defended Liberal candidate Deanna Sgro. ...

Steve Paikin faces sexual harassment allegation from ex-mayoral candidate

The accusation concerns a comment the broadcaster allegedly made over lunch with Sarah Thomson in 2010. ...

Doctors heading to arbitration with Ontario government in fee negotiations

The province and the OMA have set May dates for binding arbitration. ...

Cold snap sends a chill through Queen’s Park over response to Toronto shelter crisis

NDP leader calls out "silent" premier's frozen tongue; ministers to meet with mayor soon, government says. ...

Liberal government unveils Ontario Fair Auto Insurance Plan

The government plans to rein in physician and lawyer costs in the auto insurance system. ...

PCs tout mental health plan, criticize Health Minister’s response

Eric Hoskins compared the People's Guarantee to a failed 1893 bank of the same name. ...

Municipalities to decide how close pot shops can be to schools

Finance minister says location rules will vary by city, but province needs bigger slice of federal tax pie for pot launch. ...

Liberals go on defensive on abortion clinic buffer zones

The Progressive Conservatives and New Democratics say the government is playing politics with women's safety. ...

Paramedics raise alarm on bill to put EMS workers on fire trucks

Emergency medical workers say firefighters cost more and don't have the experience to handle on-the-spot decisions. ...

Horwath says health minister needs to “man up” on hospital overcrowding

Internal docs reveal a dozen Toronto-area hospitals are over "safe" capacity. ...

Bill to ban pill presses passes second reading as opioid debate gets political

Tory MPP criticizes health minister for having called his bill "over-simplistic." ...

Ontario launches new online health care wait times tool

Ontario is offering more health-care information online. ...

Judge appointed to investigate Wettlaufer nursing home murders, report due in 2019

Justice Eileen Gillese was one of three Ontario Court of Appeal judges who ruled in landmark 2003 decision that legalized same-sex marriage in Ontario. ...

Heard: Public education campaign needed for legal pot, health minister says

Physicians have warned that marijuana use can be harmful to young people's developing brains. ...

Head of OMA defends group after resignations and accusation of a ‘toxic climate’

Dr. Shawn Whatley says he welcomes diverse viewpoints after leaders of OMA's two biggest districts quit in protest over alleged "bullying and intimidation." ...

Happening: A public inquiry into Elizabeth Wettlaufer case

The government is "actively engaged in finalizing" an order in council that will appoint a commissioner and set out the scope of the inquiry, which will be made public once approved. ...