Nursing crisis is just NDP fear-mongering: Orazietti

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************** NDP fear-mongering irresponsible and unproductive

QUEEN'S PARK - Andrea Horwath, the leader of the provincial NDP, is fear-mongering the residents of Sault Ste. Marie in an effort to fabricate a nursing crisis at Sault Area Hospital.

Horwath continues to incorrectly claim that nursing positions are being cut at the hospital despite a media release from SAH on May 4, 2010 that clearly stated: “No Registered Nurses were laid off during the previous year” and that at present the hospital is “actively recruiting” 29 registered nursing positions, David Orazietti, MPP stated today.

Yesterday in the provincial legislature the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care once again informed Horwath that:

“In Sault Ste. Marie, I'm sure the member opposite would be interested to know, there are 29 nursing positions posted at the Sault Area Hospital right now. Across the province, there are almost 400 nursing positions that are being advertised.”

Nonetheless, Horwath distributed another inaccurate press release today in an attempt to mislead the public.

“It is irresponsible for Horwath and the NDP to ignore the facts and repeatedly make incorrect claims in what appears to be an attempt to create a crisis,” said Orazietti. “I am working to build upon the significant advancements we have made to the health care system in our community and the most effective way to truly strengthen health care is for everyone to work together.”

In the past week alone, the province has announced $25,000 for the Algoma division of the Victorian Order of Nurses as well as $216,931 for Registered Nurses Surgical First Assist Program that is helping reduce wait times for surgery.

In addition to these funding announcements the McGuinty government has made key health care investments that include:

- Increased health care funding by 57 percent from $29 billion to $45.5 billion.

- Hired 10,000 more nurses.

- $408 million to construct new Sault Area Hospital.

- $31 million in additional funding to SAH for patient service enhancements, including $13.2 million to reduce wait times and $3.7 million for new medical equipment.

- $7.3 Million for Algoma Public Health Building.

- $5.9 million for home care and community support services.

- $2.8 million toward new Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH).

- $2.2 million for EMS Response Centre.

- Opened the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

- 38 percent increase in physician supply by 2011.

- Increased the number of International Medical Graduates spaces from 90-200.

- 900,000 more Ontarians have access to a family doctor.

- Funded 150 new drugs including 39 cancer drugs.

- Constructing a Nurse-led Practitioner Clinic at Sault College

************************** Earlier SooToday.com coverage of this story

Nursing cuts hurting Sault patients, NDP claims Ontario Nurses’ Association takes on Orazietti Nurses puzzle David Orazietti Sault Area Hospital disputes claims of nursing cuts Nurses outraged by local news-release attacks Nursing Week - as seen by Orazietti, nurses' union Hey nurses! Look who's got $216,931 for you! Nursing crisis is just NDP fear-mongering: Orazietti