For Immediate Release                                                            

April 28, 2006

McGUINTY GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO REDUCE WAIT TIMES FOR MEDICAL SERVICES IN KINGSTON

Investing In 930 New Procedures To Reduce Wait Times And Improve Health Care

KINGSTON– The McGuinty government is building on its success in reducing wait times in five key areas ¾ cancer surgery, cardiac procedures, hip and knee joint replacements, cataract surgery and MRI/CT exams – with an investment of $7,240,407 in Kingston hospitals, MPP John Gerretsen announced today on behalf of Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman.

“Today’s investment goes a long way to ensuring that patients in our community continue to receive the care they need, and that they receive it more quickly,” said Gerretsen. “Our governments Wait Time Strategy continues to provide people waiting for procedures with faster access to better health services.”

Today’s announcement is part of an overall province-wide investment of $222.5 million to fund 154,000 new procedures.  The investment represents the largest single increase in cataract surgeries, hip and knee replacements, and MRI scans in more than a decade.

Today’s funding announcement coincides with the government’s release of updated and comprehensive wait times data which confirms that province-wide wait times are clearly dropping. 

Data on the government’s wait times website indicates that, during the last six months, cataract surgery median wait times dropped 21 per cent, times for hip and knee replacements decreased 19 per cent and 17 per cent respectively, and cancer surgery wait times dropped by four per cent.  Further information is available at  www.ontariowaittimes.com.

The $7,240,407 investment in Kingston area hospitals will result in 930 more procedures including:

• 430            more cardiac procedures
• 400           additional cataract surgeries
• 75              additional cancer surgeries
• 25              more total hip and knee joint replacements

“It’s clear that our efforts to reduce wait times are working, and today’s investment builds on that success,” Smitherman said. “Obviously it’s too early to declare victory, but it’s good to see that our wait times strategy is working.  Our challenge now is to continue with this progress.”

Today's initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan to build a health care system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

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For more information contact:
John Gerretsen, MPP
(613) 547-2385