NEWMARKET — The Ontario government is making investments in York Region to connect local residents and families to faster, more convenient public health services and emergency care in their communities.
“Our government is strengthening all aspects of the health care system, and these investments in York Region are another important step we are taking to connect people to care closer to home,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By building a stronger public health system and ensuring quicker access to emergency care, people in the region will see real improvements in the care they receive, as we continue to build a better health system for years to come.”
To connect people to emergency care faster and increase the availability of paramedics and ambulances, Ontario is increasing land ambulance funding for York Region by over seven per cent, bringing the province’s total investment in the region this year to over $50.4 million.
To help reduce delays paramedics encounter dropping off patients at a hospital, Ontario is investing nearly $2.4 million in York Region to allow nurses and other eligible health care providers to be hired and dedicated to the smooth and timely offloading of ambulance patients in hospitals. This will allow paramedics to get back out into the community faster and respond to calls. The funding is part of the province’s investment of an additional $51 million in the Dedicated Offload Nurses Program over the next three years to help municipalities cover around 800,000 dedicated hours to support offloading ambulance patients in the emergency department.
“With the Your Health plan, our government continues to make it easier for residents and families to access care closer to home, including right here in Newmarket-Aurora and in York Region as a whole,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and MPP for Newmarket-Aurora. “These local investments build on the bold and innovative actions taken to date and make sure our communities in the region will continue to have the health care they need now and into the future.”
Ontario is also providing funding of nearly $65 million this year in York Region to help local public health providers cover increased costs, allowing them to focus on building a robust local public health sector that provides more convenient access to public health services that protect and promote the health and well-being of the community.
With Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the government continues to take action to strengthen the health care system so that it is responsive and evolving to meet the health needs and priorities of people living in Ontario, no matter where they live.
Quick Facts
- The province is providing all local public health units an annual one per cent funding increase over the next three years so they can more effectively plan ahead and prepare.
- Provincial funding for local public health agencies to support the delivery of public health programs and services has increased by approximately 16 per cent since 2018.
- This year, 30 municipalities – up from 27 last year – are receiving Dedicated Offload Nurses Program funding to support offloading in their communities.
- Nearly 200 patient care models being led by more than 50 paramedic services across the province are now approved to provide appropriate and timely care options for eligible 9-1-1 patients in the community instead of in the emergency department. This includes the seven approved patient care models being led by the York Region Paramedic Service.
Quotes
“On behalf of York Regional Council and The Regional Municipality of York, I extend my appreciation to the Government of Ontario for their continued and increased investment in the health and well-being of our communities. When governments work together to provide residents with access to the right care at the right time, we can collectively ensure our communities remain strong, caring and safe for more than 1.2 million residents who call York Region home.”
– Wayne Emmerson
Chairman and CEO, The Regional Municipality of York
“These fantastic investments are going to ensure that residents of Vaughan – Woodbridge and the entire York Region have better access to high-quality healthcare, when and where they need it. I want to thank PA Gallagher Murphy for her tireless advocacy on behalf of York Region and for her work to improve healthcare services for everyone across Ontario.”
– Michael Tibollo
MPP for Woodbridge-Vaughan
“The approval of the ‘improving Patient Access and Care in the Community’ project by York Region Paramedic Services marks a substantial stride towards enhancing healthcare accessibility and efficiency across York Region. We are collectively advancing toward a healthier, more interconnected, and accessible future for our region. I eagerly anticipate witnessing the positive impact of this project on all individuals and families in our community.”
– Paul Calandra
MPP for Markham-Stouffville
“York Region is a growing and thriving area of Ontario, which means we also have a growing need for increasingly complex health care services. Our government understands this dynamic, which is why we are providing York Region with over $10 million in additional base funding and one-time funding for our public health unit. By providing more funding for ambulance services, paramedics and nursing programs, Ontario is taking action to serve the health care needs of families and seniors in King, Vaughan, and across York Region.”
– Stephen Lecce
MPP for King-Vaughan
“Our government has been carefully listening to residents across the province and have made great strides to provide the critical funding needed, so that people can receive the care they need, in a timely fashion, in their home community. Residents of York-Simcoe and surrounding communities will benefit from dedicated nursing hours that will alleviate pressures on our emergency departments and allow Paramedics to get back on the road as soon as possible.”
– Caroline Mulroney
MPP for York-Simcoe
“Investing in our emergency health sector is not merely a fiscal decision; it is a morally imperative process that fosters the safeguarding of our communities by ensuring that every resident has swift access to lifesaving paramedic services.”
– Michael Parsa
MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill
“In York Region, our government is taking significant steps to enhance healthcare access and efficiency. Through the Land Ambulance Services Grant, York Region will receive more than $50 million, ensuring prompt emergency care. Additionally, our investment of more than $2 million in the Dedicated Offload Nurses Program will directly benefit York Region, reducing offload delays at hospitals and supporting our paramedics in serving the community more effectively. These targeted investments are part of our commitment to providing the best healthcare services for the people of York Region.”
– Logan Kanapathi
MPP for Markham-Thornhill
“These significant investments from the provincial government in the York Region will ensure that we have a robust public health sector ready to serve our community’s needs. The funding will not only enhance healthcare services in Markham-Unionville but will also contribute to the overall well-being of residents across the entire York Region, aligning with the provincial government’s commitment to provide connected and convenient care for all Ontarians.”
– Billy Pang
MPP for Markham-Unionville
“This funding is fantastic news for Thornhill residents, and for York Region as a whole. Our Public Health Units are a crucial part of our healthcare system and are an important pillar of support in keeping Ontarians connected to healthcare, close to home. This over $10 million top-up funding will help further reduce the strain on hospitals and ensure our residents get care sooner, with fewer complications.”
– Laura Smith
MPP for Thornhill
“Our government remains dedicated to enhancing the quality of healthcare services, ensuring accessibility, and fostering a healthier future for all. These investments in York Region are a testament to our commitment to the well-being of our residents and the continued improvement of healthcare infrastructure in Richmond Hill and the Region of York.”
– Daisy Wai
MPP for Richmond Hill
SOURCE Province of Ontario
Leave a Reply