Ontario’s plan to increase the availability of publicly funded health care services through private clinics is moving forward, as Health Minister Sylvia Jones revealed that four centers will begin offering hip and knee replacements early next year. The province is investing $125 million over a two-year period to facilitate up to 20,000 orthopedic surgeries at community clinics.
In addition to cataract procedures, MRI, and CT scans, the government has already broadened the scope of privately delivered public health care services, resulting in 40,000 eye surgeries and significant MRI and CT scan operations over the past year. This expansion aims to ensure that 90% of patients receive these procedures within recommended timeframes, an improvement from the current 80% rate, according to Jones.
While critics argue that the focus should be on bolstering publicly funded hospitals, Jones emphasized that the expansion of private clinics complements the existing healthcare system. The move allows patients to access assessments and treatments locally, reducing the need for extensive travel. Jones highlighted the importance of maintaining capacity in acute care hospitals while enhancing overall healthcare services.
Ontario boasts more than 900 privately operated clinics, primarily specializing in diagnostic imaging and referred to by the government as community surgical and diagnostic centers. Among the newly funded clinics for hip and knee surgeries are OV Surgical Centre in Toronto, Academic Orthopedic Surgical Associates of Ottawa, Windsor Orthopedic Surgical Centre, and Schroeder Ambulatory Centre in Richmond Hill.
The Schroeder Ambulatory Centre, a non-profit facility, was previously announced by Premier Doug Ford as part of the recent expansion initiative. During the prior phase, the province allocated $155 million over two years to establish 57 additional centers offering MRI and CT scans, along with gastrointestinal endoscopy services.
