New report sheds light on privatization of hospital surgeries

A hospital bed with equipment is pictured. (Supplied)

A new report is shedding light on the privatization of hospital surgeries, which could prove beneficial for Simcoe County and Ontario.

According to CUPE Communications, the report out of England shows that over the last 20 years, the changes the England labour government made, failed to improve the wait times for surgery patients. Ever since, the government started contracting out hospital surgeries to profit-making facilities, the results were not what they had projected. Instead of reducing wait times, which is what they were hoping for, the research actually showed not only longer wait-times, but increased inequalities, and a reduction in capacity in the public system.

CUPE Communications says as Ontario is in the initial stages of expanding private for-profit healthcare, contracting out cataract, hip, and knee surgeries, the province can learn from England’s experiences.

Several health officials, including from the Ontario Health Coalition, are joining forces to discuss their detailed findings and how it’s relevant to Barrie and Ontario at a media conference next week.

The president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions – Canadian Union of Public Employees (OCHU – CUPE) Michael Hurley will join former professor and Director of the Institute of Health and Society at Newcastle University Allyson Pollock.

Executive Director of The Ontario Health Coalition Natalie Mehra will also address the media and give updates on access to surgeries in Barrie.

The media conference is scheduled for Mon., Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. at the Barrie Public Library.