News + Events

Health Coalition warns Grimsby residents of health care privatization

Despite ever-present concerns swirling around the future of the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, there was only a small contingent of Grimsby residents gathered at town hall on Thursday night as the Ontario Health Coalition continued its tour through Niagara, drumming up opposition to Doug Ford’s proposed Bill 74. Representatives from the coalition wrapped up a […]

Ontario Health Coalition calls on Hamiltonians to attend rally to stop Premier Doug Ford’s health care reform

Mar 14, 2019 Ontario Health Coalition’s Doug Allan urged about 60 people at a town hall meeting March 13 at the central library to attend an April 30 rally at Queen’s Park to stop the government’s proposed health care legislation. – Kevin Werner/Metroland Ontario’s health care workers, unions, residents, and municipal politicians should be preparing […]

People’s Healthcare Act is ‘really a restructuring bill’: Natalie Mehra

Mar 12, 2019 Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, speaks to a group of St. Catharines residents Monday evening. The coalition is cautioning about changes coming under the proposed Bill 74, the People’s Healthcare Act. – Luke Edwards , Niagara This Week The Ontario Health Coalition is warning Niagara that its health-care […]

Health coalition holding town hall tour “The Sarnia Observer, March 7, 2019”

Health coalition holding town hall tour Tyler Kula, The Sarnia Observer Details of how the Ontario government plans to restructure the provincial health system are pending, and the Sarnia-Lambton Health Coalition is worried they won’t be good. Shirley Roebuck, head of the local Ontario Health Coalition chapter, said she’s concerned the provincial government’s plan to […]

A cure or a curse? Catholic hospitals weigh pros and cons of Ontario legislation “The Catholic Register, March 8, 2019”

A cure or a curse? Catholic hospitals weigh pros and cons of Ontario legislation Michael Swan, The Catholic Register Despite warnings that an overhaul of health care in Ontario could sideline Catholic values and governance, organizations that represent Catholic hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and health services are optimistic they can be players in a more […]

VIDEO: Better health care through innovation “The Agenda, March 4, 2019”

Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, joined a health care panel on The Agenda with Steve Paikin. A video of the panel can be found below. Analysis Click here for original video

Analysis: Ontario’s proposed healthcare overhaul receives mixed response in the Kawarthas

People’s Health Care Act, tabled Feb. 26 at legislature, consolidates 20 agencies under one entity in the hopes of improving service efficiencies Mar 04, 2019 Christine Elliott, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford as seen at Queen’s Park in a 2018 file photo. – Rick Madonik/Toronto Star The provincial government’s […]

RELEASE: Briefing Note: Doug Ford’s Omnibus Health Bill (Bill 74)

(March 2, 2019) We have excellent health care. We don’t have enough of it. Yet Doug Ford’s new health care omnibus bill does not open a single new health care service. Not a single surgery to help tackle wait lists. Not one new nursing home space. No more health professionals, vital support staff, nurses or […]

Health Care Omnibus Bill Sets Up Ontario for Health System Mega-Mergers & Privatization: Worse than the Leaked Draft, Health Coalition Warns Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/4182516#ixzz5lMQs6zzD

TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Ontario Health Coalition released its preliminary analysis of the new health care omnibus bill today. Health Coalition spokespeople expressed deep concerns about the legislation and the sweeping upheaval to come. The legislation that was made public yesterday is worse than the draft bill in significant ways: it […]

BLOG POST: Protect Our Local Health Care from Mega-mergers & Privatization

(February 14, 2019) What you will find on this page: Submission to the Standing Committee How to contact Doug Ford and your MPP What is the new health legislation? Urgent updates Health Care Cuts BLOG POST: Mounting health care cuts RELEASE: Ford’s ambulance and public health cuts and restructuring comes with high costs, reduced services: […]

RELEASE: Warning that Leaked Health Care Omnibus Bill Would Create Health Care Chaos: Longstanding Leaders of Organizations Representing Patients, Care Workers, Doctors

Academic leaders, democracy advocates, patient advocates, front-line care workers and doctors are all speaking with one voice when it comes to the leaked health care omnibus bill that has secretly been planned by the Ford government for months: if passed, it would cause health care chaos that will last for years. Speaking at a Queen’s […]

RELEASE: Leaked Draft Health Care Legislation a “Gargantuan Nightmare Scenario”: Community and Labour Groups Join Forces for Major Fightback

(February 1, 2019) Analysis Calling it a “bombshell”: the Ontario Health Coalition and the Ontario Federation of Labour responded to a leaked document revealing a draft health care legislation written by the Ford government in secret that would create a “super agency” with extraordinary powers to restructure Ontario’s entire health care system. The Ontario NDP […]

RELEASE: Leaked omnibus health bill goes far beyond merging the LHINs

posted February 1, 2019

(February 1, 2019) Preliminary analysis reveals new unprecedented powers to order privatization and contracting out, mega-mergers and the elimination of public interest provisions in LHIN legislation By: Natalie Mehra, executive director Many of you will have heard about the new health care legislation drafted in secret by the Ford government and revealed to the […]

BLOG POST: Ford Government Health Care Report Not a Prescription for a Cure: Coalition Takes Serious Issue with Devlin’s Claims

(January 31, 2019) Toronto — Rueben Devlin’s report was released today with the central communications headline from the Ford government that more hospital beds will not solve hallway medicine. This is politically and factually untrue, warned the Ontario Health Coalition. Mr. Devlin is the former CEO of Humber River Regional Hospital, where, under his leadership, […]

Thunder Bay Health Coalition voices concerns over provincial budget “CBC News, January 22, 2019”

Advocacy group concerned province will cut health care spending in northwestern Ontario Jeff Walters · CBC News A group of health care workers held a rally outside the Dryden, Ont., hotel were the province is holding its pre-budget consultation meetings. (Unifor) A health care advocacy group in Thunder Bay worries the Ford government will cut hospital spending, and […]

Demand increases for long-term care workers “Blackburn News, January 22, 2019”

(From left to right) Lynne Withers, Julie Sexton and Shirley Roebuck at the Coffee Lodge on Exmouth Street in Sarnia. January 21, 2019. (Photo by Colin Gowdy, BlackburnNews) BY COLIN GOWDY JANUARY 22, 2019 The Sarnia Lambton Health Coalition is taking part in a province-wide initiative to improve care and reduce violence […]

Nursing home system ‘in crisis’ “North Bay Nugget, January 21, 2019”

PJ Wilson Peggy Smith, left, Blanche-Helene Tremblay and Ann McIntosh deliver the Ontario Health Coalition report Situation Critical on issues in the long-term care sector, Monday, in North Bay. PJ Wilson/The Nugget Ontario’s long-term care system is in crisis and failing those who rely on it. That was the message delivered Monday with the release […]

Long Term Health Care at “Situation Critical” “BayToday, January 21, 2019”

‘I am not trying to slam nursing homes or staff it is the whole system that needs change’ Chris Dawson (L to R) Author Peggy Smith and Ontario Health Coalition committee members Blanche-Helene Tremblay and Ann McIntyre at the Legion in North Bay Monday. Photo by Chris Dawson/BayToday.ca. Lack of care and even violence at […]

High rate of homicides among concerns raised in report on Ontario’s long-term care system “Chatham Daily News, January 21, 2019”

Ellwood Shreve Nicole Grainger, left, and Shirley Roebuck, members of the Health Coalition of Chatham-Kent, discussed some of the findings a report on the state of long-term care in Ontario, titled Situation Critical, released by the Ontario Health Coalition on Monday January 21, 2019. Photo taken in Chatham, Ont. Ellwood Shreve/Chatham Daily News/Postmedia Network TORONTO […]

RELEASE: Ontario Health Coalition releases new report SITUATION CRITICAL – HOMICIDE AND VIOLENCE IN ONTARIO’S LONG-TERM CARE HOMES

(January 19, 2019) Analysis “Intolerable” levels of violence and homicide spark renewed call for improved care standards in Ontario’s long-term care: new report Toronto—In a Queen’s Park press conference today the Ontario Health Coalition launched a 30-community tour of a new report, “Situation Critical: Planning, Access, Levels of Care and Violence in Ontario’s Long-Term Care”. […]

Reason to worry if Tories rid or drastically reduce LHINs — Bisson “The Daily Press, January 18, 2019”

The Ontario Health Coalition has expressed concern about rumours the provincial government will restructure its current 14 local health integration networks into five and Timmins MPP Gilles Bisson feels it has good reason to worry. By: Thomas Perry Gilles Bisson The Ontario Health Coalition has expressed concern about rumours the provincial government will restructure its […]

Rallies to Be Held Outside Pre-Budget Hearings “Digital Journal, January 18, 2019”

TORONTO, Jan. 18, 2019 — The Ontario Health Coalition is holding rallies outside of Pre-Budget Hearings that will be attended by Members of Provincial Parliament on the Standing Committees on Finance and Economic Affairs. At the same time as promising to end “hallway medicine” and adequately fund health care in Ontario Doug Ford’s government has […]

Ford government poised to dissolve regional health agencies, sources say “CBC News, January 17, 2019”

14 health care co-ordination networks to be replaced by no more than 5 oversight bodies Mike Crawley · CBC News · Ontario’s local health integration networks (LHINs) oversee nearly $30 billion in annual operating funding from the health ministry to hospitals, long-term care homes and community health centres. (St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton) In what would be its first major […]

Report: more staff, better training needed to reduce senior violence “Blackburn News, January 16,2019”

File photo courtesy © CanStockPhoto.com/Leaf) BY GREG HIGGINS JANUARY 16, 2019 The horror stories that usually come out about nursing homes involve staff on resident violence, but a new report suggests residents acting violently toward staff — and each other — is much more prevalent. According […]

Ford flirts with private health care at his peril

Toronto Star, by Natalie Mehra Although it was not once mentioned in last spring’s provincial election, reasons to be concerned about the privatization plans of the Ford government are mounting. Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford talks to staff during a campaign stop at Etobicoke General Hospital in Toronto last May. “Regular Ontarians in every […]

EVENTS: Pre-Budget Rallies

(January 14, 2019) Concerned about privatization of our public health care? Take a stand. Attend one of the Pre-Budget Rallies. Show that you will not tolerate cuts and privatization. We need to stand together to send a strong message. Dryden on January 21, 12 noon, Rally, Best Western Plus 349 Government St, Dryden Timmins January […]

Waits for home-care could get worse during flu season, London Free Press, December 5, 2018

Waits for home-care could get worse during flu season JENNIFER BIEMAN Updated: December 5, 2018 With dozens of Londoners waiting for home care and not enough personal support workers and nurses to meet the demand, there are fears the situation will only get worse as flu season gets underway. Home-care advocates are bracing for even […]

Hallway Medicine: It Can Be Fixed, SP The Bullet, November 23, 2018

Hallway Medicine: It Can Be Fixed PUBLIC GOODS • November 23, 2018 • Doug Allan and Michael Hurley The brief below is part of a cross province campaign begun before the summer election by the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions / CUPE to alert the public to the dangers to hospital and healthcare posed by a Doug Ford Progressive Conservative […]

Health Care in Ontario – We should all care. SAULTONLINE, November 22, 2018

SaultOnline.com By Lynne Brown November 22, 2018 Last month, Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath and MPP France Gélinas – Health Care Critic and Chief Opposition Whip, joined the Ontario Health Coalition and thousands of concerned Ontarians outside Queen’s Park to protest looming cuts to health care by the Ford government. The rally was organized by […]

Proposed hospital integration for Peterborough and Lindsay dropped, Global, November 16, 2018

Proposed hospital integration for Peterborough and Lindsay dropped VIDEO WILL BEGIN AFTER THESE MESSAGES…X Proposed hospital integration for Peterborough and Lindsay dropped – A A + Listen A proposal to integrate hospitals in Peterborough and Lindsay as one organization has been scrapped. In a release issued Friday, the boards for both Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Ross Memorial […]

Watchdog says Ontario’s healthcare system is sick, CTV News, November 13, 2018

Ontario Health Coalition’s public forum in Sudbury focuses on the dire situation cuts have put the province’s hospitals in. CTV Northern Ontario’s Callam Rodya talks to Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra about the group’s town hall meeting. Callam Rodya, Videojournalist, Sudbury Published Tuesday, November 13, 2018 1:04PM EST Last Updated Tuesday, November 13, 2018 […]

Sudbury’s hospital needs more money, critics argue, Sudbury Star, November 13, 2018

Sudbury’s hospital needs more money, critics argue Jim Moodie The Sudbury Star Published on: November 13, 2018 | Last Updated: November 13, 2018 2:35 AM EST Dot Klein of the Sudbury Health Coalition addresses a crowd gathered Monday at the Steelworkers Hall to discuss challenges to the health-care system. Flanking her are CUPE 1623 president […]

Ontario Health Coalition to host town hall meeting in Sudbury, CBC News, November 12, 2018

Ontario Health Coalition to host town hall meeting in Sudbury Coalition says province needs to invest more money in healthcare CBC News · Posted: Nov 12, 2018 6:00 AM ET | Last Updated: November 12 (iStock) 1 comments A provincial health care watchdog is hosting a town hall meeting in Sudbury on Monday night. The Ontario Health Coalition […]

Health coalition is seeing red flags with Ford government, The Wallaceburg Courier Press, November 10, 2018

Health coalition is seeing red flags with Ford government David Gough Published on: November 10, 2018 The Wallaceburg-Walpole Island First Nation Health Coalition is worried about what the Doug Ford government will mean to public health care in the province—so they are pushing back. The health coalition has seen red flags, as they point out […]

Coalition hopes to build support, stop hospital cuts in Sudbury, The Sudbury Star, November 10, 2018

Coalition hopes to build support, stop hospital cuts in Sudbury ‘What is it going to take to stop (hospital) cuts here?’ Mary Katherine Keown Published on: November 10, 2018 | Last Updated: November 10, 2018 1:16 AM EST Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, makes a point at a press conference in […]

Town hall to put spotlight on hospital cuts in Sudbury: coalition, The Sudbury Star, November 7, 2018

Town hall to put spotlight on hospital cuts in Sudbury: coalition Published on: November 7, 2018 | Last Updated: November 7, 2018 1:27 PM EST Health-care workers rally outside Health Sciences North on Tuesday demanding the hospital rescind recent cuts to staffing. JIM MOODIE/SUDBURY STAR The Ontario Health Coalition says it plans to release more information […]

EVENTS: Sudbury Town Hall, November 12, 7:00 p.m.

(November 6, 2018) TOWN HALL MEETING More than 100 nurses, health professionals, and support staff, and all the services they provide across dozens of departments are being cut if we don’t stop it. Sudbury‘s hospitals have already been cut to the bone. Please stand with us and push the provincial government to fund our hospital adequately […]

Woodstock’s private hospital permanently shutting its doors, The London Free Press, October 31, 2018

Woodstock’s private hospital permanently shutting its doors HEATHER RIVERS Updated: October 31, 2018 Lisa Figg (Linked in) and Shelley Vanderzwaag (Facebook) A private hospital in Woodstock is permanently closing its doors as a discipline hearing for two nurses who have worked there and changes to Ontario legislation governing such facilities loom. Woodstock Private Hospital will […]

Community rallies in support of Ross Memorial; Merger not wanted

Community rallies in support of Ross Memorial; Merger not wanted Published on October 29, 2018 in Around Town/Community/Health/Local News/Seniors by Roderick Benns Under a damp and insistent rain, more than 70 people braved the elements to fight for the local hospital they have come to believe in and depend upon. While they did so, multiple […]

Community rallies in support of Ross Memorial; Merger not wanted, The Lindsay Advocate, October 29, 2018

Hospital merger? Fighting the LHIN spin, The Lindsay Advocate, October 29, 2018

Hospital merger? Fighting the LHIN spin Published on October 29, 2018 in Around Town/Columnists/Community/Health by Trevor Hutchinson Experts like Natalie Mehra of the Ontario Health Coalition have warned us that our local hospital is at risk. And as concerned residents continue to await more information on the proposed integration of the Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) and the Peterborough Regional […]

Rally for the Ross Monday to stop merger; Toronto rally attracts thousands, The Lindsay Advocate, October 25, 2018

Rally for the Ross Monday to stop merger; Toronto rally attracts thousands Published on October 25, 2018 in by Roderick Benns “Hands Off Our Health Care” chanted a capacity crowd of about 8,000 people — including people from Kawartha Lakes — who joined hands and encircled Queen’s Park earlier in the week at the largest rally at the […]

Thousands rally against health care cuts at Queen’s Park, Global News, October 24, 2018

October 24, 2018 4:31 pm Thousands rally against health care cuts at Queen’s Park By Mark GiuntaVideographer, Backup News & Sports Anchor Global News The Ontario Health Coalition is calling on the Ford Government to expand public health care services while preventing cuts to the sector. – A A + Listen Armed with signs and flags, the Ontario Health Coalition […]

Thousands rally against health care cuts at Queen’s Park, Global News, October 24, 2018

Thousands rally against health care cuts at Queen’s Park By Mark GiuntaVideographer, Backup News & Sports Anchor Global News The Ontario Health Coalition is calling on the Ford Government to expand public health care services while preventing cuts to the sector. Armed with signs and flags, the Ontario Health Coalition marched at Queen’s Park on Tuesday. […]

RELEASE: Thousands Demand Doug Ford Disavow Health Care Privatization and Cuts – Other Political Parties Respond Positively to Coalition’s Demand for Services to be Rebuilt & Restored

(October 23, 2018) Thousands Demand Doug Ford Disavow Health Care Privatization and Cuts, Other Political Parties Respond Positively to Coalition’s Demand for Services to be Rebuilt & Restored Toronto – “Hands Off Our Health Care” chanted a capacity crowd of an estimated 8,000 people who joined hands and encircled Queen’s Park today at the largest […]

Health Care Workers Rally at Queen’s Park, CP 24, October 23, 2018

https://www.cp24.com/video?clipId=1521438

Ontario Health Coalition Rally at Queen’s Park, CP24, October 23, 2018

Ontario Health Coalition Rally at Queen’s Park, CP24, October 23, 2018 Live video coverage: http://Ontario Health Coalition Rally at Queen’s Park, CP24, October 23, 2018

Londoners to join rally at Queen’s Park to call for end to ‘hallway medicine’, Global News 980 CFPL, Oct 23

Londoners to join rally at Queen’s Park to call for end to ‘hallway medicine’ The front entrance of Ontario’s Legislative Building at Queen’s Park. Nick Westoll / File / Global News – A A + Listen Londoners will be part of a massive rally at Queen’s Park Tuesday organized to call on the provincial government to end so-called […]

Niagara residents rallying for health care, The St. Catharines Standard, Oct 17, 2018

Niagara residents rallying for health care Queen’s Park rally planned for Oct. 23 News Oct 17, 2018 by Allan Benner The St. Catharines Standard Subject: stethascope on 18/November/2010, at 4:54 pm, wynn, spencer wrote: – File photo Long-awaited new hospitals, an overdose prevention site and adequate funding for mental health services are among the […]

Ontario Health Coalition to rally against heathcare cuts, Sarnia News, October 14, 2018

Ontario Health Coalition to rally against heathcare cuts BY LEE MICHAELSOCTOBER 14, 2018 6:53AM The Ontario Health Coalition fears the Ford government intends to make revenue cuts that could prove disastrous to the healthcare system. Local President Shirley Roebuck said the system is already in crisis. “Ontario has fewer hospital beds than almost all other […]

Rally 12 p.m. Tuesday October 23 Queen’s Park Toronto (outside Ontario Legislature) — Please join us and tell Doug Ford that we need to rebuild and improve our public health care: NO cuts and privatization!

Bus Sign-Up Sheet Bus registration form Please scroll down to download Rally poster and memes in French and English Economist Mike Moffatt from Western University has tallied up what Doug Ford has proposed to cut. The total is a whopping $22 billion that Doug Ford proposes in cuts from provincial revenues over three years. That means that […]

RELEASE: Doug Ford cuts hospital beds and funding – calls it an increase

(October 3, 2018) Doug Ford cuts hospital beds and funding – calls it an increase (Toronto) – Usually a major government announcement is in the media studio at the Legislature or somewhere public where the public can attend and media can ask questions. Today, Ontario Health Coalition spokeswoman, Natalie Mehra, was told by security that […]

RELEASE: Ernst + Young “Line by Line” Review Biased and Unhelpful: Health Coalition Warns it is Just Repackaging of Same Old Ideas that Have Led to Cuts, Restructuring and Privatization and Widespread Public Anger

(September 25, 2018) Ernst + Young “Line by Line” Review Biased and Unhelpful: Health Coalition Warns it is Just Repackaging of Same Old Ideas that Have Led to Cuts, Restructuring and Privatization and Widespread Public Anger Toronto– It is long on propaganda but short on new ideas, and despite all rhetoric, would lead to more […]

Ernst + Young “Line by Line” Review Biased and Unhelpful: Ontario Health Coalition, Sault online, Sept 25, 2018

Ernst + Young “Line by Line” Review Biased and Unhelpful: Ontario Health Coalition By Content Team Natalie Mehra – Executive Director, OHC. photo courtesy Ontario Health Coalition. Ernst + Young “Line by Line” Review Biased and Unhelpful: Health Coalition Warns it is Just Repackaging of Same Old Ideas that Have Led to Cuts, Restructuring and […]

Fighting for health care, Waterloo Region Record, September 24, 2018

Fighting for health care NEWS 07:30 AM Waterloo Region Record Jim Stewart, co-chair of the Waterloo Region Health Coaltion watches as Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Care Coalition, speaks to a small crowd at Speaker’s Corner in Kitchener on Saturday. The rally was held to bring attention to the Progressive Conservative’s plans to cut […]

RELEASE: Doug Ford’s planned cuts to provincial revenues on top of paying down deficit irresponsible and damaging: Health Coalition, September 21, 2018

(September 21, 2018) Reacting to Finance Minister Vic Fedeli’s speech today, the Ontario Health Coalition warned that dramatic cuts to provincial revenues planned by the Doug Ford government will be devastating if they are not stopped, and questioned why the government would pursue these cuts in light of their decision to choose a high deficit. […]

BRIEFING NOTE: Gordon Campbell – Canada’s Arch Health Care Privateer and Author of the Worst Cuts in B.C.’s History, September 20, 2018

(September 20, 2018) Briefing Note Gordon Campbell – Canada’s Arch Health Care Privateer and Author of the Worst Cuts in B.C.’s History Not only does he have an abysmal record on financial matters, but former B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, whom Doug Ford appointed to lead the Independent Financial Commission of Inquiry in Ontario, is perhaps […]

RELEASE: Coalition Warns Ford Government Against Using Gordon Campbell’s Fiscal Review as a Set Up to Create a Crisis & Privatize, September 20, 2018

Coalition Warns Ford Government Against Using Gordon Campbell’s Fiscal Review as a Set Up to Create a Crisis & Privatize ‘Don’t try to play the same script as happened in British Columbia under Campbell’s Government that resulted in one of the worst attacks on public health care in Canada’s history’ (September 20, 2018) The Hon. […]

Coalition rallying to guard public health care, The Sarnia Observer, September 20, 2018

Coalition rallying to guard public health care Local Ontario Health Coalition chapters looking for funding to attend Oct. 23 rally at Queen’s Park Tyler Kula Published on: September 20, 2018 Ontario Health Coalition Executive Director Natalie Mehra was in Sarnia in May as part of a provincial tour calling for more investment in hospitals and […]

Health coalition fears job losses, service impacts if Peterborough and Lindsay hospitals amalgamate, Global News, September 14, 2018

Health coalition fears job losses, service impacts if Peterborough and Lindsay hospitals amalgamate By Greg DavisVideographer/Online Journalist Global News NEWS: ONTARIO HEALTH COALITION WARNS OF SERVICE AND JOB CUTS IF PETERBOROUGH AND LINDSAY HOSPITALS AMALGAMATEX As Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay continue discussions over amalgamation, voices are being raised over the […]

Resistance is not futile: Fight for Ross Memorial because threat to services is real, says OHC, Then Lindsay Advocate, September 13, 2018

NEWS. COMMUNITY. WELLNESS. Natalie Mehra, of the OHC, says speak up to save Ross Memorial’s services. Resistance is not futile: Fight for Ross Memorial because threat to services is real, says OHC Published on September 13, 2018 in Around Town/Community/Health/Seniors by Trevor Hutchinson In a scathing indictment of hospital mergers that have occurred with shocking regularity across Ontario the […]

Ontario Health Coalition raises concerns about amalgamation of Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Ross Memorial Hospital administration, Peterborough Examiner, September 13, 2018

Ontario Health Coalition raises concerns about amalgamation of Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Ross Memorial Hospital administration by Jessica Nyznik Examiner Staff Writer About 25 citizens attend the Ontario Health Coalition meeting on integration between PRHC and Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay on Thursday September 13, 2018 at the Lions Community Centre in Peterborough, Ont. – […]

BRIEFING NOTE: Saving Public Health Care & Public Services Under the Doug Ford Government, September 11, 2018

Saving Public Health Care & Public Services Under the Doug Ford Government (September 11, 2018) By Natalie Mehra, Executive Director, Ontario Health Coalition Since Doug Ford’s election there has been a lot of glib talk about Ford as a buffoon, a Trump-north, an almost contemptible figure. But this ignores the fact that the brain trust […]

Saving Public Health Care & Public Services Under the Doug Ford Government, September 11, 2017 By Natalie Mehra, Executive Director, Ontario Health Coalition

posted September 11, 2018

Saving Public Health Care & Public Services Under the Doug Ford Government September 11, 2018 By Natalie Mehra, Executive Director, Ontario Health Coalition Since Doug Ford’s election there has been a lot of glib talk about Ford as a buffoon, a Trump-north, an almost contemptible figure. But this ignores the fact that the […]

Ontario Health Coalition warns of hospital amalgamation consequences, CHEX – Global News, September 10, 2018

THE MORNING SHOW ON CHEX https://globalnews.ca/video/4437816/ontario-health-coalition-warns-of-hospital-amalgamation-consequences September 10 2018 11:11am Ontario Health Coalition warns of hospital amalgamation consequences A proposed plan to merge the Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Ross Memorial Hospital has been raising some eyebrows within the Ontario Health Coalition. Executive director, Natalie Mehra, joined The Morning Show today to talk about two […]

Ontario health care needs ‘system transformation’: Elliott, Toronto Sun, September 7, 2018

Ontario health care needs ‘system transformation’: Elliott Canadian PressMore from Canadian Press Published:September 7, 2018 Ontario Deputy Premier Christine Elliott talks with journalists following Question Period at the Ontario Legislature in Toronto on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young Ontario’s new government will uphold a promise to address hospital overcrowding but any action taken […]

ADVISORY: Peterborough and Lindsay – Public Forums to Warn of Hospital Amalgamation Consequences

(September 7, 2018) – MEDIA ADVISORY Public Forums to Warn of Hospital Amalgamation Consequences Executives at the Peterborough and Lindsay hospitals have made a plan to amalgamate the two hospitals into one corporation. While this may work for the executives, we are deeply concerned about the impact on health care services. All across Ontario, once […]

Health Coalition organizes meetings to talk about proposed merger’s impact, The Lindsay Advocate, September 6, 2018

“We believe that the proposed integration will be devastating, with centralized surgeries, rehabilitation and palliative care moved.” Health Coalition organizes meetings to talk about proposed merger’s impact Published on September 6, 2018 in Around Town/Community/Health/Local News/Seniors by Trevor Hutchinson Citizens concerned about the impact of the proposed ‘integration’ of the Ross Memorial Hospital and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre […]

Reopening closed health-care services urgent, says watchdog. Who suffers from cuts to public services? The public. Toronto Star, Labour Day 2018

Reopening closed health-care services urgent, says watchdog Who suffers from cuts to public services? The public. When the Ontario government sent an internal memo announcing a hiring freeze for the public sector early this summer, they set the province on a course for reduced public services and more precarious jobs. These changes will have a deeply negative […]

Planned hospital merger could be big risk for Ross Memorial, The Lindsay Advocate, August 15, 2018

Planned hospital merger could be big risk for Ross Memorial Published on August 15, 2018 in Around Town/Community/Health/Seniors by Trevor Hutchinson On November 20, 1902, medical experts travelled by train to Lindsay to be part of the opening of the $80,000 Ross Memorial Hospital, named in honour of the benefactor James L. Ross’ parents. At the time it was […]

Letter to the Editor: Thunder Bay Health Coalition shares OCHU’s concerns about hospital cuts, tbnewswatch, August 6, 2018

Letter to the Editor: Thunder Bay Health Coalition shares OCHU’s concerns about hospital cuts Michael Hurley of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU) warned us of job cuts and bed closures at the Regional Health Sciences Centre here in Thunder Bay. Aug 6, 2018 1:55 PM by: Community Submission To the editor: On June 18th Michael Hurley of […]

Campbell, Ford no friends of public health care

(July 30, 2018) By: Jules Tupker, The Chronicle Journal CUPE’s (Candian Union of Public Employees) recent warning of job cuts and bed closures needs to be taken very seriously by everyone in Ontario. In Thunder Bay, our hospital budgeted for a $5-million shortfall in the 2017-18 fiscal year. The Liberal government last year realized that […]

Proposed PC spending cuts could lead to hospital bed closures, union says CUPE says Thunder Bay hospitals could lose up to 71 beds

(July 30, 2018) By: CBC News Hospitals such as the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre could lose up to 71 beds if the Ford government proceeds with spending cuts promised during the election campaign, according to the hospital division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). (CBC) The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) […]

Unions council predicts province could cut more than 700 Ottawa hospital jobs

(July 27, 2018) By: Joanne Laucius, Ottawa Citizen Patients wait in the hallway at the overcrowded Queensway Carleton Hospital in 2016. ERROL MCGIHON / OTTAWA SUN PHOTO BY ERROL MCGIHON Between 748 and 1,634 Ottawa hospital jobs could be cut if Ontario’s new Progressive Conservative government fulfils its campaign promises, according to projections by the hospital division of […]

Far from ending hallway medicine, Ontario stands to lose 3,712 more hospital beds, more than 16,000 staff under Ford programs

(July 26, 2018) By: CUPE Already funded and staffed at levels well below other provinces, Ontario’s hospitals’ hallway medicine and bed crisis will deepen under Premier Doug Ford’s public service “efficiency” program and promised tax cuts, the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU) warned today in Toronto. OCHU, the hospital division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (OCHU/CUPE), has […]

RELEASE: Health Coalition Readies for Major Fight Ahead as Arch Health Care Privateer Appointed to Head Doug Ford’s Fiscal Review

Health Coalition Readies for Major Fight Ahead as Arch Health Care Privateer Appointed to Head Doug Ford’s Fiscal Review (July 19, 2019) (Toronto) – Not only does he have an abysmal record on financial matters, but former B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, whom Doug Ford just appointed to lead the fiscal inquiry in Ontario, is perhaps […]

Don’t be surprised if Gordon Campbell’s inquiry aligns with PC ideology, says his former chief of staff

(July 19, 2018) By: Jeremy Nuttall, StarMetro Vancouver VANCOUVER—The appointment of British Columbia’s former premier Gordon Campbell to oversee an inquiry into Ontario’s finances is political, charge health care advocates in the province. Campbell’s former chief of staff in B.C. agrees. Earlier this week the new Ontario Progressive Conservative government lead by Premier Doug Ford […]

RELEASE: Ford Throne Speech Raises Red Flags: Coalition Calls for new Government to Rebuild & Expand Public Health Care While Warning About Major Cuts

(July 13, 2018) Ford Throne Speech Raises Red Flags: Coalition Calls for new Government to Rebuild & Expand Public Health Care While Warning About Major Cuts The new Doug Ford government’s Speech from the Throne was read by Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor General at 2 p.m. today. Mostly it was a regurgitation of Mr. Ford’s campaign […]

Doug Ford gives former PC president job as health adviser with $350K salary

(July 6, 2018) By: Paola Loriggio, The Canadian Press Ford appoints Dr. Rueben Devlin as the PC party healthcare adviser. TORONTO — Ontario’s new premier has appointed a former Progressive Conservative party president as a special adviser on health care. Premier Doug Ford has named Dr. Rueben Devlin as chair of a new council on […]

Doug Ford gives ex-PC president job as health adviser with $350k salary

(July 6, 2018) By: The Canadian Press Ontario Premier Doug Ford picks former PC president as health advisor. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin TORONTO — Ontario’s new premier has appointed a former Progressive Conservative party president as a special adviser on health care. Premier Doug Ford has named Dr. Rueben Devlin as chair of a […]

RELEASE: Premier Doug Ford Appoints Former Conservative Party President & Humber River Regional Hospital CEO as Health Care Czar: Coalition Expresses Deep Concerns

(July 6, 2018) Premier Doug Ford Appoints Former Conservative Party President & Humber River Regional Hospital CEO as Health Care Czar: Coalition Expresses Deep Concerns Toronto – Doug Ford has appointed Rueben Devlin, former president of the Ontario Conservative Party by “Order in Council” (Cabinet order) to be the Chair of a new Premier’s Council […]

Ontario Health Coalition calls for public consultations on OHIP+ reform

(July 4, 2018) By: Sara Cain, 900 CHML The Ontario Health Coalition is raising concerns over Premier Doug Ford’s plan to alter OHIP-plus coverage. OHIP-plus was first rolled out by the Liberal government in January 2018. It offered kids and adults under 24 free prescription medication. This included more than 4,400 drugs in the Ontario […]

RELEASE: Ford’s Cut to OHIP+: Clarifying What It Means for Patients, Businesses and Employees

(July 4, 2018) Ford’s Cut to OHIP+: Clarifying What It Means for Patients, Businesses and Employees Toronto –Assumptions being made regarding the Ford government’s cut to OHIP+ coverage should be carefully checked, said the Ontario Health Coalition, noting that the government’s press release expressly did not say that all extra costs for those cut off […]

Doug Ford kicks off premiership with a pay freeze on public service managers

Doug Ford kicks off premiership with a pay freeze on public service managers (June 30, 2018) By: Justin Giovannetti, Globe and Mail Ontario’s new premier Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservatives have put the brakes on government spending only hours after taking office, freezing the pay of managers in the Ontario public service and putting […]

RELEASE: Doug Ford’s First Cut Will Hurt Families with the Sickest Children the Most

(July 3, 2018) Doug Ford’s First Cut Will Hurt Families with the Sickest Children the Most: Health Coalition Calls for Ford to Restore Public Drug Coverage & Proper Public Consultation About Policy Changes that Impact Ontarians’ Lives and Pocketbooks (Toronto) – 24-hours after being sworn in as Ontario’s new Premier, Doug Ford’s government issued a […]

Ford’s top five priorities a daunting challenge

(June 24, 2018) By: Antonella Artuso, Toronto Sun Premier-designate Doug Ford takes office Friday with a new cabinet, a majority of the 124 newly-elected MPPs and a short but daunting to-do list. The Tories provided that list when asked what Ontarians should expect. NUMBER ONE: “Put more money in your pocket. Scrap the carbon tax, […]

Public could lose voice with hospital

(June 21, 2018) By: Jules Tupker ONTARIO’S new Not-for-profit Corporations Act, 2010, isn’t expected to come into force until 2019, but it’s already having some unintended and unfortunate consequences. Some provisions in the act have worried the board of directors of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre enough that it proposes to change the […]

What ‘hallway health care’ looks like in Ontario’s most crowded hospital system

(June 20, 2018) By: Mariam Mishriki, TVO In London’s main hospital network, medical staff treat patients in corridors, storage areas and other “unconventional spaces” when beds aren’t available. LONDON — On a summer night three years ago, Alex Godfrey was admitted to the emergency room at Victoria Hospital in a manic state. What was supposed […]

RELEASE: What does a Doug Ford victory mean for health care?

What does a Doug Ford victory mean for health care? (June 8, 2018) In the last days before the election, we tried to find a way to contrast Doug Ford’s belated “platform” with the former Conservative government of Mike Harris to see how far apart they were. Though I knew the cuts were massive, I […]

JOINT STATEMENT: Pls sign the Joint Statement Calling for Improvements in Access and Care in Ontario’s Long Term Care Homes

We asking organizations to sign onto the following Joint Statement to improve care levels and access to care in Ontario’s long-term care homes. If your organization would like to sign onto the Joint Statement, please send an email to the Ontario Health Coalition at ohc@sympatico.ca using the subject line: LTC JOINT STATEMENT. Please include your […]

NATALIE MEHRA ON CBC RADIO ONE, Election Commentary, June 7, 2018

NATALIE MEHRA ON CBC RADIO ONE – ELECTION COMMENTARY TONIGHT Dear Members and Supporters, Our executive director, Natalie Mehra has been asked to be on CBC Radio One tonight providing commentary on the election results as they come in. You can listen for her after approx. 9:30 p.m. once the results start to become clear.

Hospitals running at crisis levels, says watchdog

(June 6, 2018) By: Mary Katherine Keown, The Sudbury Star Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, speaks to Sudbury Star reporter Mary Katherine Keown in Sudbury on Friday. John Lappa/Sudbury Star/Postmedia It should be no surprise that Sudbury (and Ontario) is facing a health care crunch. But it has become a […]

RELEASE: Ontario Election 2018 Health Care Resources

Click on each heading for Ontario election resources: **New Leaflet inside (note: if printing use legal size paper) Leaflet outside (note: if printing used legal size paper) Election Platform- top issues and “asks” for our political parties Media Release Provincial Election Platform release Health Care Questions for Candidates All Candidates’ Meetings Media coverage of Health […]

RELEASE: $22 billion in cuts to funding for public services planned by Mr. Ford, worse than Harris, we are “extremely worried”

posted June 3, 2018

By Natalie Mehra, Executive Director Many Ontarians are captured by the idea of getting the same or more services for less money. But few know what the numbers might actually mean. Since Doug Ford did not release a clear platform, Ontarians know more about how much a beer may cost if the Conservative leader is […]

Ontario Health Coalition wants spotlight on proposed mega hospital leading up to election

(June 1, 2018) By: CTV Windsor The Ontario Health Coalition is putting the spotlight on the proposed mega hospital with less than a week to go in the provincial election campaign. Executive director Natalie Mehra doesn’t think residents are informed enough about the decision. “The so-called mega hospital is one hospital to replace all of […]

Group Opposed To Hospital Site Gears Up For Election

(June 1, 2018) By: Mark Brown, Blackburn News Members of a group opposed to the new Windsor-Essex hospital plan demonstrate outside Windsor Regional Hospitals Ouellette campus on June 1, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News. Windsor-Residents opposed to the planned location of a new Windsor-Essex hospital are trying a new approach. Members of the Ontario […]

RELEASE: Doug Ford must answer key questions on his “murky” health care plans urges Ontario Health Coalition

(June 1, 2018) Natalie Mehra – Executive Director, OHC speaking to reporters, Oct. 2017. Photo courtesy Ontario Health Coalition. Doug Ford must answer key questions on his “murky” health care plans as numerous Conservative candidates refuse to attend numerous health care all-candidates’ debates. Toronto – With the Ontario election just seven days away the Ontario […]

RELEASE: Coalition Takes to the Street in Effort to Save Hospital Services in the City of Windsor

Coalition Takes to the Street in Effort to Save Hospital Services in the City of Windsor (June 1, 2018) Toronto – At the Windsor Regional Hospital, Ouellette Campus, advocates of saving hospital services in the city of Windsor displayed lawn signs that are popping up all over Windsor. The lawn signs are really popular and […]

Long-term care system in crisis

(May 30, 2018) By: Doug Diaczuk, Thunder Bay News Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, said staffing shortages is an issue impacting long-term care homes across the province. (Photos by Doug Diaczuk – Tbnewswatch.com). THUNDER BAY – When Mariann Jollineau had to move her father into long-term care, the experience was stressful […]

Doc in your pocket: would you pay for a healthcare app?

(May 30, 2018) By: Amanda Ferguson, City News You can order your dinner online. And a ride. Well how about an app that replaces going to a doctor’s office? That’s what Maple is all about — an online service where you can pay to see a doctor online and even get a prescription. The app’s […]

Hospital crowding: Why all 3 major Ontario parties are promising more LTC beds. All parties promising new long-term care beds, but PCs not talking about hospital funding

(May 25, 2018) By: Joanne Chianello, CBC News Hallway medicine has become commonplace in overcrowded Ontario hospitals. (Raj Dabb/Twitter) For Nancy Parker, it began about three years ago when her husband — who suffered from complications from a previous heart attack — had to endure a 48-hour wait in the Ottawa Hospital emergency room before getting a bed. […]

RELEASE: Doug Ford must answer key questions on his “murky” health care plans as numerous Conservative candidates refuse to attend numerous health care all-candidates’ debates

Doug Ford must answer key questions on his “murky” health care plans as numerous Conservative candidates refuse to attend numerous health care all-candidates’ debates (May 25, 2018) Toronto – With the Ontario election just two weeks away the Ontario Health Coalition — a public health care advocacy group — is calling on Conservative Party leader […]

Ontario Health Coalition talks provincial election at Durham hospitals

(May 24, 2018) By: Jennifer O’Meara, Clarington This Week Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra, along with Charlie Courneyer, the co-chair of the Durham Health Coalition, were in front of Lakeridge Health Oshawa on May 18. They discussed the facts and myths from the health-care platform from all parties involved in the 2018 election […]

EVENT: June 22 Summit Registration Form

As the June 7 election draws near it seems more likely than ever that Ontario will have a new government. We are calling on our affiliates and active members to come together to strategize in light of the new context. This is a high-level meeting meant for leadership, policy and campaign staff and volunteers, active […]

Parties urged to do more for healthcare

(May 23, 2018) By: Joel Wittnebel, The Oshawa Express Natalie Mehra, the executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition and Charlie Couraneyea, the co-chair of the Durham Health Coalition, were at Lakeridge Health for a press conference urging the political parties to make healthcare a priority in this election. (Photo by Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express). […]

London Health Coalition criticizes PC candidate for failing to commit to healthcare debate

(May 23, 2018) By: CBC News Peter Bergmanis, chair of the London Health Coalition, said Susan Truppe is the only candidate among all the major parties who has failed to commit to participating in a debate on health care. The London branch of the Ontario Health Coalition is “calling out” the Progressive Conservative candidate for […]

Candidates agree on more funding for health care

(May 23, 2018) By: Taylor Campbell, Windsor Star Analysis There seems to be little argument. Health care will be a major issue in the upcoming provincial election. All nine local candidates at a debate Tuesday night agreed health-care funding needs to increase. A 5.3 per cent increase to Ontario’s public funding, as recommended by the […]

Candidates’ debate on health care Thursday in Grimsby

(May 22, 2018) By: Grimsby Lincoln News Candidates from the Niagara West Riding will be tackling the issue of health care Thursday night. A special health-care debate will take place Thursday, May 24, from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Livingston Activity Centre, 18 Livingston Ave. in Grimsby. The event one of four that were organized across […]

Rebuild Hospitals and Long-Term Care

(May 20, 2018) By: LeftStreamed After touring Ontario in recent weeks, Ontario Health Coalition spokeswoman Natalie Mehra returned to Toronto on 16 May 2018 at a press conference outside the Emergency Department at Mount Sinai Hospital to talk about the crisis in access to healthcare. Noting that the Coalition’s mandate is to protect public healthcare […]

Health debate to be focus of all-candidates meeting Tuesday

(May 18, 2018) By: Anne Jarvis, Windsor Star Health care is the hottest topic in the provincial election, right up there with skyrocketing hydro bills, and local candidates will be asked how they’ll address it. Erie Shores HealthCare Tyler Brownbridge / Windsor Star Health care is the hottest topic in the provincial election, right up […]

Health Coalition Calls for Concrete Commitments

(May 16, 2018) By: Lynne Brown, saultonline.com After touring Ontario in recent weeks, The Ontario Health Coalition’s Executive Director, Natalie Mehra, returned to Toronto and held a press conference outside the Emergency Department at Mount Sinai Hospital. Mehra emphasized that there is a crisis as it relates to access to health care. Mehra stated that […]

RELEASE: Provincial Election Discussion Should be About Rebuilding Public Hospitals & Long-Term Care Not “Efficiencies” or “Lean” or Code Words for Cuts: Health Coalition Calls for Concrete Commitments to Redress the Crisis in Access to Care

(May 16, 2018) Toronto – After touring Ontario in recent weeks, Health Coalition spokeswoman Natalie Mehra returned to Toronto this morning at a press conference outside the Emergency Department at Mount Sinai Hospital to talk about the crisis in access to health care. Noting that the Coalition’s mandate is to protect public health care in […]

Les libéraux ont-ils vraiment ouvert 24 « nouveaux » hôpitaux en Ontario? CBC, May 16, 2018

Les libéraux ont-ils vraiment ouvert 24 « nouveaux » hôpitaux en Ontario? Publié le mercredi 16 mai 2018 à 6 h 52Mis à jour le 16 mai 2018 à 6 h 53 La première ministre de l’Ontario, Kathleen Wynne, lors d’une annonce de financement à l’Hôpital général de North York le 22 mars 2018 Photo : Radio-Canada/Claudine Brulé La chef du Parti libéral […]

Candidates grilled on health care platforms

(May 15, 2018) By: The Chatham Voice Candidates in the upcoming June provincial election took part in their first local debate Thursday night. From left is Liberal Margaret Schleier Stahl, Green Party Mark Vercouteren, NDP Jordan McGrail and sitting PC MPP Rick Nicholls. In the first official debate for the Chatham-Kent Leamington provincial election candidates, […]

LETTER: Health questions for provincial candidates

(May 13, 2018) By: The Kingston Whig-Standard The Kingston Health Coalition proposed to the campaign managers of Kingston’s provincial candidates to hold an all-candidates meeting on the topic of health care in Ontario. The representatives replied that they already had received from Health City Ontario a request for such […]

Wynne commits to hiring 3,500 nurses as she argues PC plan means health care cuts

(May 10, 2018) By: CBC News Announcement is welcome, Ontario Health Coalition says, but ‘it’s not the end of the story and it can’t be’ A Liberal government will hire 3,500 more nurses in Ontario, Kathleen Wynne said Thursday, as she took aim at the Progressive Conservatives’ promises to cut the corporate tax rate and […]

Candidates square off on health; Local advocates press party standard-bearers on issues ranging from wait times to water quality

(May 11, 2018) By: Trevor Terfloth, The Chatham Daily News On such issues as funding, wait times and water quality, local advocates pressed provincial candidates on health care during a debate in Chatham on Thursday night. The Chatham-Kent Health Coalition and the Registered Nurses’Association of Ontario hosted the event for those running in Chatham-Kent-Leamington, with about 50 […]

Health-care ‘crisis’ topic of upcoming debates, St. Catharines Standard, May 11, 2018

Health-care ‘crisis’ topic of upcoming debates St. Catharines Standard Fri May 11 2018 Byline: Allan Benner It will take more than fleeting election promises to resolve the crisis that is brewing in hospitals across Ontario, says Ontario Health Coalition board member Doug Allan. As people contend with overcrowded hospital emergency departments and lengthy wait lists to access […]

Hospitals Running at Crisis Levels – Watchdog

(May 11, 2018) By Mary Katherine Keown, North Bay Nugget Ontario hospitals need about $1 billion to operate properly, says Natalie Mehra of the Ontario Health Coalition. (Postmedia file photo) It should be no surprise that Ontario is facing a health care crunch. But it has become a hot topic in the upcoming election and […]

Health coalition calls for major funding hike

(May 11, 2018) By: Sharon Hill, Windsor Star Ontario’s health-care system is in crisis and it’s vital to get all political parties to commit to increasing funding for hospitals before the June 7 election, Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra said Monday. “At this point, the downsizing has simply gone too far,” Mehra told local residents Monday at a lunch […]

Ontario Health Coalition: It’s time to rebuild Ontario’s health care system

(May 11, 2018) By: Matt Durnan, sudbury.com Ontario has the lowest number of hospital beds per person in the country Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra stopped in Sudbury on May 11 to talk about the organization’s platform with a group of Sudburians, including the chair of Sudbury’s health coalition, Dot Klein (right). (Matt […]

Health-care ‘crisis’ topic of upcoming debates

(May 10, 2018) By: Allan Benner, The St. Catharines Standard Doug Allan and Sue Hotte from the Ontario Health Coalition discuss plans for a series of debates in Niagara’s provincial ridings on the delivery of health care services. – Allan Benner , The St. Catharines Standard It will take more than fleeting election promises to […]

CKL candidates debate health care

(May 10, 2018) By: Trevor Terfloth, Chatham Daily News Local health-care advocates hosted an all-candidates night at Aristo’s Banquet Hall in Chatham on Thursday. From left are Chatham-Kent-Leamington provincial candidates Margaret Schleier Stahl, of the Liberal party, Mark Vercouteren, of the Green party, Jordan McGrail, of the New Democrats, and Rick Nicholls, of the Progressive Conservatives. […]

CK-Leamington Candidates Debate Health Care

(May 10, 2018) By: Kirk Dickinson, Blackburn News Candidates for the Chatham-Kent Leamington riding debate health care at Smitty’s Family Restaurant in Chatham, May 10, 2018. From left, Margaret Schleier, Mark Vercouteren, Jordan McGrail, and Rick Nicholls. (Photo courtesy of Chris Bright) With provincial election campaigns in full swing, the chair of the Chatham-Kent Registered Nurses’ […]

Time to fix health-care crisis, coalition says

(May 9, 2018) By: Tyler Kula, Sarnia Observer The head of the Ontario Health Coalition is pushing for all political parties to reinvest in hospitals and boost the number of nursing home beds in Ontario to fend off what she calls a crisis in health care. “What we’re saying is we have to turn the corner on […]

Health-care watchdog group calling for more hospital and nursing home funding

(May 8, 2018) By: Tyler Kula, Sarnia Observer Ontario Health Coalition Executive Director Natalie Mehra was in Sarnia Tuesday. It was a stop on her provincial tour calling for more investment in hospitals and long-term care. (Tyler Kula/Sarnia Observer) The head of the Ontario Health Coalition is pushing for all political parties to reinvest in […]

Health Coalition Says Hospital Care In Crisis

(May 8, 2018) By: Lee Michaels, Blackburn News Main entrance at Bluewater Health’s Sarnia hospital. Photo by Meghan Bond. The executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition says there are two major things the next provincial government must do to fix our broken health care system. Natalie Mehra stopped in Sarnia on Tuesday during her […]

Health funding must increase to deal with crisis, says Ontario Health Coalition

(May 8, 2018) By: Sharon Hill, Windsor Star Ontario’s health-care system is in crisis and it’s vital to get all political parties to commit to increasing funding for hospitals before the June 7 election, Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra said Monday. “At this point, the downsizing has simply gone too far,” Mehra told […]

Election Candidates To Weigh In On Health Care

(May 8, 2018) By: Sarah Cowan, Blackburn News Photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo Inc. / jirsak With the provincial election less than a month away, local candidates will be quizzed this week on how they will address health care issues in the region. The Chatham-Kent Health Coalition is partnering with the Chatham-Kent Registered […]

Health Coalition on Pre-Election Tour

(May 7, 2018) By: Peter Langille, AM800 Ontario Health Coalition Executive Director Nathalie Mehra, speaking in Windsor, May 7, 2018 (by AM800’s Peter Langille) The Ontario Health Coalition is hoping to keep a focus on hospital funding in the upcoming provincial election. Executive Director Nathalie Mehra is in Windsor today speaking with community leaders. She […]

Rally held to put focus on healthcare for the provincial election

(May 5, 2018) By: CTV London Calling it a crisis in healthcare, protestors lined Commissioners Road in front of the London Health Sciences Centre Victoria Campus on Saturday morning. It was part of an effort to make hospital overcrowding a key issue in the upcoming provincial election. Members of the London Health Coalition are intent […]

Londoners rally to end overcrowding in Ontario hospitals

(May 5, 2018) By: Christian D’Avino, 980 CFPL Londoners joined the London Health Coalition Saturday for the Crisis in Health Care Rally Christian D’Avino / 980 CFPL Members of the London Health Coalition gathered at Victoria Hospital to rally for what they’re calling a crisis in Ontario’s healthcare system. The Crisis in Health Care Rally, which […]

Public health care watchdog launching in Waterloo Region

(May 4, 2018) By: CTV Kitchener The Ontario Health Coalition says it’s launching a new chapter in Waterloo Region. The non-partisan watchdog says its goal is to protect public health care. Executive director Natalie Mehra says hospital cuts in the province have been extreme. The Ontario Health Coalition says it will focus on turning […]

Palliative care inadequate for coming ‘silver tsunami’ concludes Hamilton report

(May 2, 2018) By: Joanna Frketich, The Hamilton Spectator Significant gaps in end-of-life care were found in a case study of Hamilton that concludes current infrastructure is inadequate to handle the palliative care needs of the “silver tsunami” of baby boomers drawing near. The hospital remains the most common place where people die in the […]

Municipal election, healthcare and residential schools, Bill Kelly Show

People who are wanting to run for mayor or city councillor in the upcoming fall municipal election are now eligible to register. This will be the first election under the new ward boundaries. Guest: John Best. Publisher of the Bay Observer. Healthcare is one of the hot button issues for this upcoming provincial election. The […]

CBC RADIO ONE INTERVIEW: For those who missed it: CBC Ontario Today show on overcrowded hospitals with OHC’s Natalie Mehra

The stories were shocking… and heartbreaking. Caller after caller on Ontario Today’s noon call-in show told CBC Ontario Today host Rita Celli and Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra about being left in broom closets, storage areas, a bathroom and hallways waiting for a hospital bed in overcrowded hospitals across Ontario. Family members told […]

What overcrowding in hospitals looks like in Ontario – CBC Radio One interview with Natalie Mehra, April 27, 2018

(May 2, 2018) The stories were shocking… and heartbreaking. Caller after caller on Ontario Today’s noon call-in show told CBC Ontario Today host Rita Celli and Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra about being left in broom closets, storage areas, a bathroom and hallways waiting for a hospital bed in overcrowded hospitals across Ontario. […]

Friends of Medicare discusses effects of for-profit clinics, The Lethbridge Herald, April 26, 2018

Friends of Medicare discusses effects of for-profit clinics The Lethbridge Herald Thu Apr 26 2018 Byline: Schnarr, J.W. How private clinics can affect public health care was discussed Monday night in Lethbridge during a town hall-style meeting held by Friends of Medicare. The group is on a four-stop tour to raise awareness around issues they […]

More is needed at Sydenham campus, Wallaceburg Courier Press, April 26, 2018

More is needed at Sydenham campus Wallaceburg Courier Press Thu Apr 26 2018 Section: News Byline: Shirley Roebuck, Source: Wallaceburg Courier Press I read with interest the article in last week’s Courier Press, titled “First step towards renewing Wallaceburg’s Sydenham Campus.” The article explained the long history of our hospital’s infrastructure and resistance to maintaining […]

Natalie Mehra on CBC Radio One – Ontario Today with Rita Celli at noon, Thursday April 26

Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra is on CBC radio’s Ontario Today show at noon today talking about the crisis of hospital overcrowding. It is a call-in show so please share your stories and thoughts

New private cardiology clinic unveiled to combat long wait times

(April 25, 2018) By: Sanjay Maru, CBC News People who have suffered a cardiac incident have a new place to receive treatment ? but it will come at a cost. The Windsor-Essex Rehabilitation & Wellness Centre was unveiled Wednesday during a grand opening. The program was first established as a pilot last year and is now being […]

Private clinics blur lines of care versus profit: FoM

(April 25, 2018) By: Gillian Slade, Medicine Hat News In the past two decades there has been a proliferation of private medical clinics that are potentially a violation of the Canada Health Act, said Friends of Medicare at a local public event Tuesday night. Private clinics typically provide medical care with “add-ons,” which blurs the […]

Island Voices: Extra-billing crackdown long overdue

(April 22, 2018) By: Edith Machattie And Rick Turner, Times Colonist The B.C. government is taking decisive action on an illegal activity known as “extra-billing,” bucking a years-long trend of ignoring illegal health-care fees charged to patients in B.C. On April 4, Health Minister Adrian Dix announced plans to enforce patient protections against extrabilling that […]

Groups come together about voicing concerns about proposed mega-hospital

(April 18, 2018) By: Rob Hindi, AM800 Philippa von Ziegenweidt, Natalie Mehra and Michael Hurley, April 17, 2018 (Photo by AM800’s Rob Hindi) More questions and concerns regarding the proposed location of the hospital project in Windsor-Essex. On Tuesday, Citizens For An Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process along with the Ontario Health Coalition, Ontario Council of […]

Coalition Forms To Challenge Hospital Site

(April 18, 2018) By: Ian Shalapata Michael Hurley, the president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions/CUPE, addresses a full house at the University of Windsor’s School of Social Work on 17 April 2018. The public consultation forum was held to outline the drawbacks to the proposed health care plan for Windsor. Photo by John […]

Public Forum On New Hospital’s Location

(April 17, 2018) By: Adelle Loiselle, Blackburn News If you have concerns about the location of Windsor’s new acute care hospital on County Rd. 42, there is a public forum in Windsor to discuss it. The Citizens for an Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process, or CAMPP, is one of five community groups hosting a public meeting […]

HALLWAY HEALTH CARE

This woman waited 47 hours for surgery with broken bones, cracked ribs and internal bleeding

RELEASE: Deeply concerned about Doug Ford’s planned revenue cuts, comparison of parties’ commitments on key health care issues

(April 13, 2018) Toronto – Following the release of Doug Fords “platform” the Ontario Health Coalition has tried to analyze how Mr. Ford’s plan will impact health care funding. Over the next four years, with four days until the provincial election we still have no firm commitment on the level of hospital funding, nor any […]

RELEASE: Doug Ford’s Figures “Way Off”: Coalition Deeply Concerned About His Statements on Hospitals in Northern Ontario

(April 13, 2018) On this week’s swing through Northwestern Ontario PC Party Leader Doug Ford cited wildly incorrect numbers for hospital bed costs and raised the spectre of another round of hospital bed cuts. Mr. Ford was quoted in Thunder Bay’s media yesterday falsely stating that comparable hospital beds cost $3,500 while long-term care beds […]

Liberals offer new drug and dental coverage for Ontarians without health plans, Toronto Star, March 28, 2018

(March 28, 2018) By: Rob Ferguson, Toronto Star Ontarians lacking workplace health insurance will get up to $700 a year to defray the cost of medicines and dentist visits starting in summer 2019 under the Wynne government’s pre-election budget. Augmenting a new OHIP+ pharmacare plan and the existing Healthy Smiles aid for needy families, the promised […]

Ontario pre-election budget promises new spending, multi-year deficits

(March 28, 2018) By: Shawn Jeffords and Paola Loriggio, The Canadian Press TORONTO — As it braces to fight for re-election this spring, Ontario’s Liberal government has rolled out a spending package that targets nearly every demographic while plunging the province back into deficit, with the books expected to stay in the red for six […]

RELEASE: Good news budget but most health care funding is back-end loaded to years away: Coalition concerned about one-year bump up followed by austerity

(March 28, 2018) TORONTO – Emerging from the budget lock up this afternoon, Ontario Health Coalition spokespeople were positive but cautious about the health care funding announcements. Overall, the budget plans a one-year bump up in funding and several high-profile public service funding and program announcements. But the budget also contains a number of tax cuts, […]

MEDIA ADVISORY: OHC to respond to Ontario Budget

TORONTO – Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition, will be available for comment on the Ontario Budget at Queen’s Park today, March 28th after 4:00 p.m. Dana Boettger, OHC Communications, 416-441-2502 The Ontario Health Coalition and local coalitions throughout Ontario are working on fighting hospital cuts, protecting public health care for all, […]

Scarborough Liberal MPPs again promise to ‘champion’ hospital projects

(March 26, 2018) By: Mike Adler, toronto.com In a pre-election speech, Scarborough-Guildwood MPP Mitzie Hunter stressed Ontario’s Liberal government and its five Scarborough MPPs “will champion” improvements to the area’s only acute-care hospital. “We have to listen, and we listen to our communities,” Hunter told staff at Scarborough and Rouge Hospital’s General campus beside another […]

RELEASE: Better but not cured: Health Coalition responds to Wynne pre-election funding announcement

(March 22, 2018) Toronto – Today’s hospital funding announcement is a move in the right direction but still falls short, the Ontario Health Coalition reported at Queen’s Park after the announcement. Premier Kathleen Wynne announced a 4.6 per cent increase in hospital funding to be unveiled in next week’s provincial Budget, just weeks in advance […]

Ailing Ontario man stuck in U.S. hospital because insurance company can’t find bed back home

(March 20, 2018) By: Ieva Lucs, CBC News Lilian and Todd Hrabchak are seen here in a Florida hospital on March 20. They are trying to get back home to Toronto but were told by their insurance company that there are no beds available. An elderly Toronto man is stuck in a Florida hospital, according […]

RELEASE: OHC supports public dental care

(TORONTO) “A public dental plan, like public health care, is fundamentally about equity. It’s about providing all people with the opportunity to live healthy, dignified lives, and fulfil their human potential.” Natalie Mehra, Executive Director OHC “Public dental care to cover everyone is welcome news from NDP Leader Andrea Horwath,” says Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of […]

Patient advocacy group calls for change as hospital overcrowding leaves Ontarians stranded abroad, 980 CFPL London, March 6, 2018

(March 6, 2018) By: Staff 980 CFPL As Ontarians continue to hear nightmare stories about residents stuck in overseas hospitals, politicians and advocacy groups are calling out for change. Over the last week, the sagas of two London men came to light after they were stuck abroad because local hospitals didn’t have beds available […]

Unions, doctors and health care advocates call for pharmacare

(March 2, 2018) By: Global Newswire The Canadian Labour Congress will host a town hall discussion on pharmacare from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7 at the Liuna Station in Hamilton. The event will feature CLC President Hassan Yussuff on why Canada’s unions believe everyone with a health card should have prescription drug […]

UPDATE: Time To Care Rally Video

Almost a thousand people came out to push Bill 33 over the top and win a regulated minimum care standard of an average of 4-hours hands-on care per day for long-term care (nursing home) residents. The crowd was joined by France Gélinas, NDP Health Critic and sponsor of the Bill which has already passed 1st […]

ACTION UPDATE: Pharmacare Ontario Tour

(February 22, 2018) Over the next few months, the Ontario Health Coalition will join the Canadian Labour Congress in the Ontario leg of a national tour to more than 25 communities. Featuring Canada’s foremost pharmacare experts and advocates, these important discussions will address why we need a prescription drug plan that covers all Canadians. Click […]

Patients make political push to save Cardiac Fitness Institute CBC News, Feb 23, 2018

(February 23, 2018) By: Andrew Lupton, CBC News The fight to save the Cardiac Fitness Institute at Victoria Hospital is increasingly drawing attention from Queen’s Park politicians with a June 7 election looming. A group of patients gathered outside the grounds of Victoria Hospital Friday to oppose a plan to close down CFI, which many credit […]

Area MPPs, health coalition join foes of Cardiac Fitness Institute closing for Victoria Hospital demonstration The London Free Press, Feb 23, 2018

(February 23, 2018) By: The London Free Press Dozens of patients and politicians disregarded gloomy weather and a mid-afternoon start time to gather Friday in front of London’s Victoria Hospital to protest the planned closing of the Cardiac Fitness Institute. Both hospital brass and Ontario’s ruling Liberals bore the brunt of the anger as patients […]

UPDATE: TIME TO CARE RALLY – February 27, 2018 at 12 p.m., Queen’s Park

Time to Care Rally So far we have hundreds coming. But we need more than that. This time, every person counts. PLEASE COME OUT TIME TO CARE RALLY February 27, 2018 12 p.m. Queen’s Park GET ON A BUS – THEY ARE COMING FROM ALL OVER ONTARIO Please see the list below. You must reserve […]

Flu outbreaks lifted at Windsor Regional Hospital, but overcrowding continues, CBC News, Feb 13, 2018

(February 13, 2018) By: CBC News Influenza A outbreaks in two units at the Windsor Regional Hospital have been lifted, but staff are continuing to struggle with overcrowding. The outbreaks in Unit 2N and Unit 7M were declared on Feb. 2 after hospital-acquired respiratory infections were confirmed in at least six people. Restrictions for patient transfers and […]

ISSUE UPDATE: Ontario Health Coalition Succeeds in Protecting & Strengthening Ontario’s Ban on Private Hospitals

(February 9, 2018) We sent out an update in early December, but it appears that many of you did not get it. Here is the final update on our campaign in late November/early December to restore Ontario’s ban on private clinics after the government removed it in their omnibus health care bill that was brought […]

BACKGROUNDER: CALL TO ACTION: Take these actions to win improved long-term care in Ontario asap: Pass Bill 33!

It’s Time to Care: Your Support Can Help Us Win Improved Care Standards in Ontario’s Long-Term Care Homes Now Not Enough Care As you know, the key issue for residents, families, care workers and advocates in long-term care is that there simply is not enough care. For more than a decade, we have been advocating to […]

Hospital bed money not enough: Nickel Belt MPP, Sudbury Star, Feb 3, 2018

(February 3, 2018) By: Sudbury Star Staff ‘Hallway medicine’ in Ontario and Sudbury will continue, the NDP’s Health critic and Nickel Belt MPP says. France Gélinas said Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins’ announcement Friday to extend provincial funding for 1,235 ‘temporary’ hospital beds in the province for one year isn’t enough. She said the $187 […]

RELEASE: Health Minister’s hospital bed announcement welcome but it is only a temporary band aid, more is needed: Health Coalition

Health Minister’s hospital bed announcement welcome but it is only a temporary band aid, more is needed: Health Coalition (February 2, 2018) Toronto – “Although the Minister’s announcement today promising to extend funding for 1,235 ‘temporary’ hospital beds for one year is a positive step it is only a temporary band aid that will not […]

Ontario pledges $187M to ease hospital crowding next year

(February 2, 2018) By: Kate McGillivray, CBC News Five months after committing $100 million to ease crowding in Ontario’s hospitals ahead of this winter’s flu season, Health Minister Eric Hoskins announced that another $187 million will be coming in the next fiscal year to continue to tackle the problem. The money will be spent on […]

URGENT ACTION ALERT: New Bill Allows Private For-Profit Hospitals & More Private For-Profit Clinics

(November 23, 2017) The Ontario government is moving forward with legislation that lifts the ban on private hospitals, rolls private hospitals in with private clinics and renames them, offensively, Community Health Facilities, and makes it easier for private hospitals and clinics to expand and more difficult for the Minister to stop them. This legislation was brought […]

URGENT UPDATE: With No Public Consultation Ontario’s Government has Introduced Massive New Legislation that Lifts the Ban on Private Hospitals and Changes the Ambulance Act, Long-Term Care Homes Act and Retirement Homes Act, among others

(November 13, 2017) The government introduced the legislation last month and it has passed second reading. The Standing Committee on General Government is holding only four days of public hearings, only in Toronto. The Ontario Health Coalition will be presenting to the Standing Committee this Thursday. Timelines are extremely tight, but it is still possible […]

RELEASE: “The Worst Overcrowding We Have Ever Seen” in Ontario’s Hospitals: Patients’ and Coalition’s Claims Supported by Release of New Data on London Hospitals

(November 13, 2017) London – Health coalition advocates, concerned about reports that London Health Sciences Centre was running at alarming rates of overcrowding in September, asked their local MPPS to look into the issue. London MPPs Teresa Armstrong and Peggy Sattler arranged for a freedom of information request to access hospital data. The numbers are […]

Exec Slams Ontario Health System

(November 10, 2017) By: John Divinski, Bayshore Broadcasting News Centre Public health care in Ontario is moving in the wrong direction and people need to stand up and demand change. So says the Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition Natalie Mehra, speaking at the monthly meeting of the Southport Canadian Federation of University Women […]

Long term care beds coming too late, say health policy experts

(November 10, 2017) By: Joanna Frketich, Hamilton Spectator Beds are needed now, as Hamilton and Burlington alone have about 1,900 people waiting for long-term care. – Getty Images/iStockphoto The Liberal government’s promise of thousands of long-term care beds over the next decade is too little and far too late, say health advocates and policy experts. […]

How Ontario’s home care plan would help a union that backs the Liberals

(November 7, 2017) By: Mike Crawley, CBC News Personal support workers employed by new provincial home care agency would likely join SEIU You would expect the Wynne Liberals would shout from the rooftops when they make a change that gets the public sector to deliver more of our publicly funded health care. Yet the government’s […]

Provincial government plans to create new home care agency

(November 6, 2017) By: Kim Zarzour Personal care providers concerned new crown agency will add another level of bureaucracy Plans for a new government agency for personal support workers has raised both hope and concern for Ontario’s burgeoning personal support worker system – Shutterstock A shake-up is in the works for Ontario’s troubled PSW system […]

RELEASE: Public Home Care Would Benefit Ontarians Despite Claims of Vested Interests/For-Profit Home Care Companies: Health Coalition Calls for More Details

(November 6, 2017) Toronto – A leaked presentation from the Ministry of Health revealed by CBC today indicates that the government is planning some sort of public home care agency for personal support work in the home. The Ontario Health Coalition has been advocating for public home care since the 1990s and reacted with cautious […]

All party support of Time to Care Act is applauded in Peterborough

(November 4, 2017) By: Global News Staff In what is seen as a victory for Ontario’s seniors, Bill 33 passed its second reading this week. Introduced to the legislature at Queen’s Park by NDP MPP France Gelinas, the private member’s bill would see residents of the province’s long-term care facilities receive four hours of hands-on care […]

VIDEO: Impassioned debate in legislature on hospital cuts featuring quotes from OHC

(November 2, 2017) Analysis The Ontario Health Coalition’s media release was featured in an impassioned debate in the Legislature. Following upon revelations that more than 4,300 patients were treated on stretchers in hallways and other makeshift areas in the first four months of this year in Brampton’s hospital, many waiting 40 – 70 hours for […]

RELEASE: Thousands of Patients Lining Hospital Hallways in Brampton “Code Gridlock” Just the Tip of the Iceberg

(October 31, 2017) Coalition Calls for Long-Term Plan to Reinvest & Rebuild Hospital Bed Capacity Toronto – A memo obtained by the NDP, released in the media today, reveals that more than 4,300 patients stayed on stretchers in hospital corridors and the like for significant lengths of time, often waiting 40 – 70 hours for […]

Pre-election hospital bed funding ‘cynical’: OHC

(October 28, 2017) By: Antonella Artuso, Toronto Sun Empty bed at The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre in Ottawa Friday Oct. 27, 2017. The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre, The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) will announce the launch of an innovative project to improve the quality […]

BATRA: Wynne Liberals using our cash to get re-elected

(October 30, 2017) By: Adrienne Batra, Toronto Sun Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne tours the Niagara Catholic District School Board’s Niagara Launch Centre located at Seaway Mall in Welland on October 12, 2017.Michelle Allenberg/Welland Tribune/Postmedia Network Here’s a not-so-hidden secret, the Ontario Liberals are going to use your money to ensure they get re-elected in 2018. […]

Stakeholders applaud investment in hospital

(October 29, 2017) By: Steph Crosier, Kingston Whig-Standard KINGSTON – The province’s announcement Friday that it will be contributing more than $500 million to redevelop Kingston General Hospital is great news for the city, says the mayor, the hospital workers’ union and the local health coalition. “This is so important,” Health Minister Eric Hoskins said on […]

Canada’s health system serves as model for Sanders – but faces troubles of its own

(October 28, 2017) By: Ashifa Kassam, The Guardian Bernie Sanders is visiting Toronto this weekend as he pushes universal healthcare in the US. Photograph: Eric Thayer/Reuters Bernie Sanders will arrive in Toronto this weekend for a crash course in an unrivalled point of pride for most Canadians: the country’s healthcare system. The visit – which will include […]

Code Gridlock: Hospitals “bursting at the seams” heading into flu season

(October 28, 2017) By: Joanna Frketich, Hamilton Spectator Hamilton’s hospitals are alarmingly overcrowded before the sickest season of the year even starts. St. Joseph’s Healthcare had 26 per cent more patients than medical beds in August, which is supposed to be one of the quieter months. Across the city, hospitals opened an average of 86 […]

Ontario Health Coalition Arrives In Windsor

(October 26, 2017) By: Ian Shalapata, The Square Windsor residents recounted their health care stories at the central branch of the Windsor Public Library during the Ontario Health Coalition provincial tour, on 25 October 2017. Photo by Ian Shalapata. (WINDSOR, ON) – There were few empty chairs when the Ontario Health Coalition hosted the Windsor stop […]

Ontario Health Coalition hears from Windsor residents

(October 26, 2017) By: CTV News Windsor The Ontario Health Coalition is getting ready for the next provincial election. The coalition is conducting a province-wide tour to hear stories from residents about the current state of public health care, and representatives stopped in Windsor on Wednesday. Some of the residents who spoke expressed concerns about […]

Even though it’s temporary, Peterborough Regional Health Centre welcomes new provincial funding for 20 more beds during flu season

(October 25, 2017) By: Joelle Kovach, The Peterborough Examiner Peterborough Regional Health Centre plans to use $1.37 million it’s about to receive from the province to add 20 more beds during “surge season” this winter, states a release from the hospital – meaning the money will be spent within a few months. A press release from PRHC […]

Hospital beds too few, too ‘stopgap’

(October 24, 2017) By: Jim Moodie, The Sudbury Star A promise from Queen’s Park to boost the number of beds in hospitals — including 16 more at Health Sciences North — is welcome news, but a move that doesn’t go nearly far enough. That’s the position of Natalie Mehra, who has been pushing for years […]

Ontario hospitals getting more beds, $140 million in funding

(October 24, 2017) By: Toronto Metro Staff Health Minister Eric Hoskins has announced $140 million in funding to make more hospital beds available and enhance home care services. PETER POWER / FOR THE TORONTO STAR Two patients share a room, formerly a sun room, on the fifth floor of Hamilton General Hospital last spring. Many of […]

Londoners to voice opinions on local hospitals

(October 24, 2017) By: Global News Staff The Ontario Health Coalition wants to hear from Londoners about their experiences with local hospitals. The organization is touring the province gathering feedback from patients, their families and hospital workers to find out what’s working, what’s not, and how they think things could be improved in hospitals across […]

Ontario Health Coalition gathering input on ways to bring the public health care system back to life

(October 24, 2017) By: Linda Holmes, Bay Today ‘There are gaps in services and funding which lead to less than ideal care for our most vulnerable citizens throughout the province’ Wife of Long Term Care resident Ann McIntyre spends four to five hours a day with her 70-year-old husband who was admitted to a Long […]

Hamiltonians share hospital concerns

Posted: October 23, 2017 By: Natalie Paddon, The Spec In this file photo from August, Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, speaks during a media conference. – Hamilton Spectator file photo Before last December, Suzanne Clancy never had reason to learn how to navigate the ins and outs of the local hospital […]

L’Ontario financera 2000 lits supplémentaires pour désengorger les hôpitaux

Posted: October 23, 2017 Radio Canada, by Caroline Bourdua Plus de 2000 lits et places supplémentaires seront financés par la province, afin de préparer les hôpitaux à la saison de la grippe et pour aider à désengorger les établissements dont des lits sont occupés par des patients en attente d’une place dans un centre d’accueil. […]

Province investing $140-million to create new hospital beds across Ontario

(October 23, 2017) By: Durham Radio News Staff To help ease the pressure on overcrowded hospital wards, the province is creating 1,200 new beds across Ontario. 22 beds will be at the Lakeridge Health Oshawa site and there will be short-term transitional care spaces provided at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby. […]

Ontario government announcement sees 56 hospital beds coming county-wide

(October 23, 2017) By: Orillia Packet The Ontario government announced the addition of more than 1,200 new hospital beds Monday morning, 56 of which will be found in Barrie, Orillia and northern Simcoe County. The funding, revealed by Minister of Health Dr. Eric Hoskins in Toronto, will see more than 2,000 additional beds and spaces […]

Hospitals getting more beds, more funding

(October 23, 2017) By: Theresa Boyle, Toronto Star Health Minister Eric Hoskins has announced $140 million in funding to take pressure off of overwhelmed hospitals. The Ontario government has come to the rescue of overwhelmed hospitals with more money and beds — just as flu season is starting and pressure on the sector is growing […]

Ontario Health Coalition brings hospital hearings to Hamilton

(October 23, 2017) By: Ken Mann, AM 900 CHML Residents are being asked to share their hospital stories during a public hearing on Monday in downtown Hamilton. The event is being hosted by the Ontario Health Coalition which has been travelling the province and collecting stories that executive director Natalie Mehra describes as ranging from […]

RELEASE: Wynne Government’s Hospital Bed Announcement a Temporary Band-Aid But Health Coalition Slams Expanding Health Care Privatization

(October 23, 2017) Toronto – The Ontario Health Coalition congratulated the Health Minister for recognizing the crisis in Ontario’s hospitals and announcing 1,200 new hospital beds today. However, the coalition cautioned that this is only temporary band-aid that will partially alleviate the crisis but not solve it. One-fourth of the hospital money announced today was […]