Premier Doug Ford is defending his government’s response to the health care crisis.
Several emergency rooms and ICUs closed over the past week due to staff shortages.
Ford says he’s working with the College of Nurses to get more people into the health care system.
“We’re going to continue coming up with ideas and working with the College of Nurses to get the internationally-trained nurses through the College of Nurses in a much faster, rapid process,” says Ford.
Ford adds the health care staff shortage is an issue plaguing hospitals across Canada.
Still, the Premier says even with the reduction of services in some communities, a majority of patients are receiving the necessary treatment they require.
“Nine out of 10 people that are going into their emergency areas, because we measure it, are getting taken care of within the health parameters. I believe from the time they walk in, time they get treated, time they leave, it’s within eight hours,” notes Ford.
He adds surgeries are happening at nearly 90 per cent of what they were before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
Ford admits that it doesn’t change the fact that hospitals and emergency departments are feeling increased pressure, and the province is working to ease that burden.
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