March 2, 2007

ORLÉANS – The McGuinty government wants to hear from local residents as it develops a 10-year strategic plan for the province’s health care system, Phil McNeely, MPP for Ottawa-Orléans, announced today on behalf of Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman.

“Listening to Ontarians is essential to the development of a long-term plan for the province’s health system because it is their system,” said McNeely. “Our government has made significant progress in increasing access to health care and bringing down wait times. We want to make sure our health system will be there for Ontarians in the future because we’re in this together.”

A public regional consultation will be held on Wednesday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. at :

Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School
Cafeteria
1515 Tenth Line Road
Orléans ON K1E 3E8

The meeting in Ottawa is being hosted by McNeely, and speakers will include Wilmer Matthews, Acting Chair and Dr. Robert Bourdeau, Board Member from Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).

The consultations will allow local residents an opportunity to have their say about the future of health care in Ontario, as well as front-line health care providers and organized health care groups. Members of the public who wish to attend or participate in the consultations can obtain more information by calling 1-866-968-9582 or visiting www.register-ourplanforhealth.ca.

The 2.5-hour session will highlight the government’s progress in building a stronger health care system in Ontario, health and social trends in the province, future system challenges and opportunities, and an overview of what the government and LHINs have already heard from the public.

Participants at the session will then be engaged in a dialogue about the important values and priorities that will shape Ontario’s future health care system.

The regional consultation is just one of many ways that the government has been obtaining feedback from Ontarians on their health care priorities and concerns. Opinions have been collected through other meetings with health care stakeholders, telephone surveys, e-mails to a dedicated website (www.ourplanforhealth.ca) and through a toll-free phone line: 1-866-532-3161.

The consultations will be part of the development of a strategic plan, which is a commitment legislated under the Local Health System Integration Act. The plan will set out a vision, priorities and strategic directions for our health care system over the next 10 years.

“Developing a plan is a huge challenge and responsibility,” said Smitherman. “And we can’t do it without listening to the thoughts, concerns and ideas from the people of Ontario.”

Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty government’s plan for innovation in public healthcare and building a system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

For further information :

Members of the general public :
1-866-532-3161

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