Toronto, March 3, 1998 - The Health Services Restructuring Commission (HSRC) today announced its approval of the plans of University Avenue hospitals to co-ordinate their services.
"The hospitals have shown a willingness to strengthen their clinical programs by eliminating duplication and integrating services. By providing services more efficiently, patient care will improve," said Duncan Sinclair, Chair of the HSRC.
The Toronto Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital and the University of Toronto submitted a plan to realign patient services to the HSRC in November 1997. It followed the creation of a task force to look at service integration as directed by the HSRC in its July 1997 report on Toronto health services restructuring.
The plan outlines programs to be integrated including thoracic surgery at the Toronto Hospital, as well as obstetrics and gynaecology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
The HSRC's Notices of Intention to Issue Supplementary Directions issued today include a fourteen-day response period. Interested organizations and individuals are invited to comment on the HSRC recommendations by March 17, 1998.
Another report prepared by representatives of all University Avenue hospitals, including the Toronto Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children and the Rehabilitation Institute of Toronto, identifies areas of consolidation of support services among the hospitals. These include joint purchasing, information systems, laboratory services, nutrition, pharmacy services and facilities management.
"This is a further step along the way in Toronto towards restructuring health services to improve patient care. I commend the hospitals for their willingness to work together," said Sinclair.
The HSRC is a group of individuals appointed by the Ontario government to redesign Ontario's health system. It is an independent agency of doctors, health care educators, hospital administrators, former hospital board members and other experts.
Highlights of the HSRC's work across Ontario to date include the call for:
Contact: Paul Kilbertus (416) 327-5504
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