Liberal Health Critic Dr. Adil Shamji, file photo

Ontario Liberals are voicing their concern with a bill that allows for hospital patients to be transferred to long-term care homes without their consent.

It is intended to free up beds.

Interim leader John Fraser says it’s wrong for patients and long-term care homes.

“Instead of moving forward with Bill 7, the Premier and the Minister and this government should repeal Bill 124, something that should have happened more than a year ago,” says Fraser.

Fraser says the transfer of patients will only add increased pressure to facilities that aren’t ready to handle the extra capacity.

Health Critic Dr. Adil Shamji calls the proposed unethical and cruel.

“The problem with this bill is it gives additional teeth to the healthcare system to say, ‘you know what, you’re not welcome in hospital, you’re not wanted here, and we want you in a long-term care home. It doesn’t matter if you think it’s the right choice for you. We will make that decision for you,'” says Dr. Shamji.

Dr. Shamji feels it will also cause further distress to patients as they become separated from the support networks they have depended upon.

Debate on the bill is resuming today at Queen’s Park.