Fedeli reacts to hallway health care crisis and local report on mental health and addictions

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli says the province is making strides by six per cent over the past year in improving hallway health care.

“You need to have the understanding that by reducing hallway health care you also reduce the demands on hospitals budgets. That’s how we’ve been fighting it, ” he says.

Fedeli says in the last budget they’ve increased funding to hospitals by $380 million and $60 million to small and medium sized hospitals. He says they’ve also added long term care beds like the temporary fix at the Cedar Lodge to address the beds lost issue due to the closure of the Lady Isabella Nursing Home.

Last week, the Ontario Hospital Association says a billion dollars is needed to address the hallway health crisis in Ontario.

Also last week, a city delegation met with the provincial health minister on its solutions to the mental health and addictions issues in North Bay.

A report was presented by the Mayors Roundtable on Mental Health and Addictions.

Fedeli was asked about the local direction on these issues.

“There is a plan in place and I fully support it. I’ve read it cover to cover and it’s an excellent solution that is designed specifically for our area,” Fedeli says.

Last week, Mayor Al McDonald says the report will be made public, but they wanted to present it to the minister first.

(photo by station staff)