August 20, 2001
Province announces $48-million agreement for quality patient care and related teaching and research
TORONTO, Aug. 20 /CNW/ - Associate Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Helen Johns, today announced a $48 million agreement to ensure continued access to quality patient care and support related teaching and research activities at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
The new five-year agreement was reached following negotiations between the hospital, doctors, and the Ontario government.
The agreement covers all clinical services, as well as related teaching and research activities carried out by more than 200 full-time and part-time pediatric specialists at the hospital and the University of Toronto.
"Ensuring timely access to hospital services is critical, and is a top priority for this government," said Johns. "We are investing in an incentive program to ensure appropriate physician staffing levels are in place to provide quality care to patients now and in the future."
The agreement will run until June 30, 2006, and represents a significant investment in pediatric services benefiting the Hospital for Sick Children and people across the province. The doctors will have the opportunity to renew the agreement when it expires.
"We believe this new plan gives us the resources to keep the very best physicians at the hospital that will allow us to continue to improve the quality of care we provide to our patients," said Michael Strofolino, President and Chief Executive Officer with the Hospital for Sick Children. "In addition, we will be able to recruit new physicians for crucial areas where critical specialist shortages have existed in the past."
The agreement also includes a $7-million contribution from the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation.
"This agreement represents an innovative partnership between philanthropy and government to support excellence in research," said Dianne Lister, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Hospital for Sick Children Foundation.
Last October, the Ontario government increased funding for the incentive program to help ensure access to doctors through the province. Today's announcement culminates negotiations among the hospital, the doctors and the ministry. This news follows the recently announced $200 million in funding to Ontario hospitals to assist with their operational budgets. This news release is available here.
Public Affairs
The Hospital for Sick Children
555 University Avenue
Suite 1742, Public Affairs, First floor Atrium
Toronto,
ON
M5G 1X8
Canada
Phone: 416-813-5058
Fax: 416-813-5328