We’ll know the permanent configuration for Health Ontario in about a year from now.

The first phase of transitioning to the new super agency was announced last week, and involved the creation of five regions, down from 14 Local Health Integration Networks.

Northern director Jay Aspin tells BayToday the end game is all about providing world class health care, while making sure it’s run optimally.

“Our biggest challenge is a growing population that’s getting older and we have finite resources so we want to make sure we’re very thoughtful in our approach,” he says.

“We’re making sure that we meet the needs of Ontarians because health care is chewing up more and more of the budget so we have to make sure it’s run optimally which is a challenge and we do that by innovation and organization,” Aspin tells BayToday.

He also says savings of up to $350 million a year will be reallocated to front line services.

Aspin says it means no front-line job losses.

 

(File photo: Queens Park photo courtesy www.citynews.ca)

 

Filed under: Northeast LHIN, Ontario Health