Ontario health minister defends response to healthcare crisis

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones defended the province’s response to the ongoing pediatric healthcare crisis.

As hospitals continue to grapple with fewer workers and high cases of the flu, RSV, and COVID-19, Jones says the health system is showing small improvements.

During a funding announcement in Toronto, Jones claims the Ford government has ramped up capacity in pediatric ICUs by 30 per cent.

As of today units across Ontario are now caring for 114 children, two more than the healthcare system can handle, but that’s fewer patients overall.

Last week, data from Critical Care Services Ontario said there were more children in ICUs than beds, with 122 children needing critical care.

Earlier this week, Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) says McMaster Children’s Hospital received more than $1 million to help with critical care surges.

Mac Kids President Bruce Squires also said virtual care and transferring young teens to adult hospitals are measures that will be considered.

Jones says more than $180 million will be spent on upgrades to hospital infrastructure and utilities.

At the legislature today NDP opposition leader Peter Tabuns and others took aim at the funding and says it’s needed in emergency rooms.

“Yesterday the minister of health says they planned for these surges and put policies in place to protect our children, but if this was a plan, it was a terrible one,” Tabuns said.

During this morning’s provincial announcement Jones highlighted that most of the illnesses seen in children’s hospitals is RSV. She added that primary care doctors should accept more child patients for care to help families avoid going to the ER.

[monahill]

Ontario has a population of 15 .1 million and 122 children in critical care are swamping the healthcare system. Did I hear that right?

[oliverfurtado]

I wish this these people would go away

[valeria]

So proud of all the comments. People are awake.

[zalllon]

Ask them how much tax dollars they have tied up in warehouse inventory for PPE, rapid test kits and other supplies, plus warehouse rentals to house it all! Some of their friends are getting rich selling this to the Ontario government. Enough stuff for each Ontario resident many times over.

[cooperdaloop]

All I got from this was that there still aren’t enough nurses and why is that? Cuz Doug Ford wants to make sure all the MPs get their raises but screw the nurses right?

[lawrenceveinotte]

In 2014 the WHO changed it's criteria for declaring a pandemic, pre 2014 and covid would never have been declared a pandemic.

[todddonly]

Time to hold these people to account for all the destruction they've caused

[bettystalbe]

IN a normal world these health officials would be...

[gregorylatiak]

intensity measurements provide the illusion of progress when kept separate from the demographics, lots of money for highways, not so much for healthcare or education... why?

[chippychick]

The “officials” are so frightened they try to disguise their faces 😂

[pjfan]

When isn’t there a “health crisis “ in Canada?

[jlm]

Everyone suffers because a tiny minority of violent objectors have more power than the vast majority of quiet sensible people.

[graeme]

She would in the midst of a staffing crisis she is partially responsible for, nurses are tired of this nonsense and should be paid properly!!

[pickme.picker]

When did ontario get healthcare again???

[imashrew]

Maybe if we neglect our health care system for another 20 years, the problem will go away.

[Ont]

Ontario pays more and more in taxes to the federal government, what are they doing with it?

Ontario has to fund itself and then transfer money through the feds to other provinces.

This over taxation mentality of the federal government has to end.

[Thereyougo]

If hospitals aren’t full, why do we have them ?

[Microplancakes]

The Ontario gov sucks the big one!! Think Ford, think! I know it's hard as you never went to college or university!! Try to think through what you're doing!!! It seems, across the board, you're wrong!! Admit your mistake and Carry on!! I swear, it will aid to your brand!!!

[TheNiceNix]

Whoever posts the videos for this channel, please learn how to match the audio levels of other videos on YouTube. This one is less than half the volume it should be.

[nicks]

Another one on the kist of those who need to go now.