Councillors here support a recommendation to improve timely and local access to hospital care in Wellington County and across high growth communities in Ontario.
Minto’s resolution stated high growth communities in Ontario grow at more than twice the rate of the average growth rate and their residents are aging at twice the provincial rate. As well, population growth in those regions will further intensify due to the Places To Grow legislation, the province’s 25-year growth plan.
The resolution noted that in 2008-09 Ontarians residing in Local Health Integration Networks with high-growth communities received $255 less per resident in provincial funding for local hospital services compared to residents in other LHINs in Ontario, which translates into a $1.4-billion annual operating gap for local hospital services – and these funding gaps are worsening each year.
Minto is part of the Waterloo-Wellington LHIN that received $279 less per resident in provincial funding for local hospital services when compared to the average Ontarian. That translates to a $205-million annual operating funding gap for local hospital services.
The resolution also noted that even with the commitment of provincial funds, there will still be a funding gap for high growth communities.
Further, the resolution noted that since the province recently announced a new health-based funding allocation model, the town requests the province speed up the implementation of its hospital growth funding commitment and to implement a funding model based on population to address the needs in high growth areas.
Minto also asks the provincial government to develop a strategy to deal with high growth areas in terms of health needs.
Mayor David Anderson said he has followed a number of the LHIN meetings in the region.
He cited recent ones in Harriston, Elora and Elmira, then added there is an April 5 meeting slated for Erin.
He said what the LHINs are looking for is public input on the types of services needed in local hospitals. That information will be gathered into a report, along with recommended approaches.
“Each meeting I attend, I learn something more,” Anderson said. “It’s very concerning to me, what I’m hearing. It’s why a lot of hospitals are coming up with deficit budgets, unfortunately.”
He added, “We need to have some input to ensure we retain those services.”
Councillor Wayne Martin said the provincial and federal governments are now operating with deficit budgets, and even so, “health care, which should be a number one priority … isn’t being addressed.”
