“It’s always a very difficult decision when they have to close an emergency department, whether it’s for four hours, for one shift or in some cases over the weekend. I know it’s very difficult for them to do that and make those decisions,” Health Minister Sylvia Jones told CP24 on Tuesday.
“However, I want to reassure people that Ontario Health is an important part of the plan to work with these local hospitals to make sure they have the capacity and that all options are on the table.”
While Jones has made several public appearances since being appointed to her new role on June 24, she has so far not addressed the staffing crisis that has led to dozens of hospital closings.
This is the first time Jones has accepted an interview request from CTV News Toronto or CP24 since she was sworn in as health minister.
While Jones called the emergency department closings “very troubling,” she said the province has “done a lot” to address the issue. As evidence, he pointed to the province’s ongoing work with partner health organizations.
Meanwhile, the Ontario Nurses Association says its members reported about 25 hospitals were forced to make changes over the weekend due to staff shortages across the province.
“Either [they] had to reduce the capacity of emergency departments, ORs, beds, labor and delivery patients who had to be re-directed to other hospitals. It’s absolutely outrageous,” Ontario Nurses Association President Kathryn Hoey said Tuesday.
Dr Adil Shamji, emergency physician and Liberal MPP for Don Valley East, says 13 different emergency departments in the province have been forced to close. “And that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.
This follows news that an entire intensive care unit at a hospital in Bowmanville was temporarily closed ahead of the long weekend.
Shamjo said he resorted to sending a letter to Jones after several emails went unanswered.
At Queen’s Park Tuesday morning, Ontario Liberal MP John Fraser insisted there are measures available that the province “should have taken by now,” including repealing Bill 124, which caps the wage increase of a nurse at one percent.
“I’ve talked to a number of nursing organizations,” Jones said in response to a question about why the Ford administration is refusing to repeal Bill 124. “I’ll continue those discussions as we come up with ideas and solutions because I know that the only O how this will work is if all agencies understand their role and how we can improve it in Ontario,” said Jones.
Fraser also urged the province to add more mental health supports, 10 paid sick days for all Ontario workers and speed up the credentialing of the tens of thousands of nurses who are on the sidelines because they were trained outside the country.
“Put the hole in the boat,” Fraser said.
