Toronto
The head of the Ontario Hospital Association says hospitals should not lose nurses and doctors to a new system of private clinics the government will be using to reduce the surgical backlog.
Anthony Dale says the new model of care will take a ton of work and presents many risks along the way.
The province announced earlier this week it would create new surgical centres, including for knee and hip replacement procedures in private facilities, as part of its strategy to reduce the surgical backlog.
Dale says the most pressing concern for hospitals is not losing staff to the new system.
He also says it will be important for the clinics to have strong connections to a hospital for help if something goes wrong during hip and knee surgeries.
The province says there will be safeguards in place to prevent hospital staff from being poached by the new surgical centres.
Banner image: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2023.
