New research highlights growing deficits, rising costs and staffing pressures at Kingston hospitals.
A new report from the Canadian Union of Public Employees says Ontario hospitals are being pushed to the brink by chronic underfunding and increasing privatization of health-care services.
The report, Pushed over the brink: The escalating assault on Ontario’s hospitals, was released Thursday in Kingston by Michael Hurley, president of CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions, and CUPE researcher Doug Allan.
The research highlights growing hospital deficits, rising costs and increasing pressure on staff and patients across the province. Researcher Doug Allan explains more.
CUPE says hospitals are also seeing declining working capital, which is used to cover day-to-day expenses such as payroll and medical supplies.
The report includes data specific to Kingston, including hospital deficits and bed occupancy rates. It also outlines the additional funding and staff needed to reduce wait times, add beds and bring Ontario’s per-capita hospital spending in line with other provinces.
Michael Hurley explains the funding increase that is needed.
CUPE says the findings show Ontario’s hospital crisis continues to worsen.
Story by Alyssa Brush
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