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McGuinty government
improving access to critical care services investing $94,00 to increase
training opportunities for nurses -
May 15, 2007 Clinton
– The McGuinty government is improving access to critical care services
for Ontarians by investing $ 20,000 in specialized training for more
nurses at Alexandra Marine & General Hospital, $ 20,000 for the Grey
Bruce Health Services and $ 54,000 for the Huron Perth Healthcare
Alliance Carol Mitchell MPP announced today on behalf of Health and
Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman. “We’re
facing an increasing demand for critical care services because of our
growing and aging population,” Carol said. “Our government is responding
by ensuring more nurses are trained at local hospitals to provide this
highly specialized type of care which involves caring for patients who
are seriously injured or critically ill, and a greater use of technology
and specialized equipment.”
The government is investing $7 million to increase
the critical care training opportunities available to nurses in the
province. This includes:
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$4.5 million for 61 hospital corporations to
assist with the costs of ensuring that more than 270 critical care
nurses meet the new provincial critical care nursing standards
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$2.5 million for a new critical care nursing
e-learning program. This will be operated in partnership with Durham
College, to make critical care training more accessible to nurses
who may not be able to attend traditional college programs due to
distance and/or work or family responsibilities. Through this
innovative program, nurses will take part in lectures via the
Internet and participate in hands-on training at simulation lab
centres.
This funding is part of the government’s $90 million
critical care strategy, which is improving access to quality, integrated
critical care services across the province.
Making Ontario an employer of choice through
investments that improve opportunities and work life for nurses and
other health care professionals is a key goal of the province’s health
human resources strategy. The HealthForceOntario strategy is aimed at
ensuring that Ontario has the right supply and mix of health care
professionals. The McGuinty government has launched
several initiatives designed to ensure that Ontario families continue to
receive the best possible nursing care. These include:
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Guaranteeing that every nursing graduate gets
offered a full-time job, beginning in 2007
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Enhancing the work environments for nurses
through better supplies and equipment, and more educational and
professional career opportunities
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Keeping late career nurses in the profession
while utilizing their skills and experience to benefit the health
care system
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Purchasing modern hospital equipment – such as
patient lifts, electric beds and safety alarms – to improve patient
safety and working conditions for nurses.
Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty
government’s plan for innovation in public health care, 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
Carol Mitchell, MPP
Huron-Bruce
519 482-5630 |
