Health minister Matthews renews support for LHINs

by Kris Svela

TORONTO

Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews objects to a Conservative white paper on health care in which leader Tim Hudak calls for the dismantling of LHINs (Local Health Integration Networks) based on reports targets have not been met.

The minister also disputed figures Hudak released last week in which he stated senior management costs to operate LHINs and Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) amount to $800 million. Matthews said Hudak’s figures are misleading because they represent the cost of operating both since they were established more than five years ago.

LHINS cost about $75 million a year to operate, Matthews said in a telephone interview with the Advertiser. According to her .3 per cent represents what was spent on administrative costs.

She said LHINs have been instrumental in streamlining the health care system by coordinating the work done by local service providers. Targets, according to Matthews are not always met, but strides are made to meet them.

 “We’ve come a long way in keeping down the wait times,” the minister said, referring to criticism by Hudak. “Ninety-nine per cent of general surgeries are down within the targets. “

“I’m very happy with the work they’re doing. We’re seeing great success stories.”

She criticized Hudak’s plan to dismantle LHINs, saying they have coordinated health in the 14 jurisdictions they operate in.

“Until LHINs were created, hospitals were running big deficits every year,” the minister said. “That’s totally changed. Every hospital is either in a balance or has plans to get balanced.”

Matthew’s contends the Conservative approach would open the health care system up to a two-tiered system.

“We believe hospitals should be run at a not for profit basis.”

She also pointed out the current 14 CCACs have replaced 43 which existed before.

“The creation of our LHINs has improved the integration of our health care system a the local level,” the Liberal’s own white paper on health care, released early this year, states. “Care is more cohesive, and providers are working together more. In short, the system is beginning to operate more like a system. This the beginning of an evolution towards better integration, and system accountability for improved patient outcomes.”

“If we are to meet the needs of a growing population with multiple, complex and chronic conditions, our health care system must be even better coordinated, with seamless levels of care,” the paper states. “In addition to integrating family health care into LHINs, we will introduce further reforms to promote more seamless local integration, with fewer layers of administration, to ensure we have a system truly structured around the complex needs of an aging population.”

“A  very important part of our plan is sustainability,” Matthews added.

 

September 28, 2012