20 January 2010
McGuinty to Blame for Hamilton Health Cuts: Miller
Nurses and frontline staff on chopping block at HHS

HAMILTON—Hamilton East—Stoney Creek NDP MPP Paul Miller blames the McGuinty government for the reckless waste of precious healthcare dollars which is leading to devastating cuts at Hamilton Health Sciences.

Miller says the billion-dollar eHealth fiasco and the hundreds of millions spent on private consultants are forcing HHS to make cuts. He is demanding health care in Hamilton be protected.

“In some sick way, the Liberal chickens who wasted our healthcare dollars have come home to roost. The cuts announced yesterday by HHS are the inevitable outcome of years of healthcare mismanagement by the McGuinty Liberals,” said Miller.

HHS says it will lay off 140 staff, including many registered nurses and frontline staff in order to save $17-million.

“Hamilton residents know that staff cuts mean cuts to patient care. My community has a right to know how it’s supposed to cope with fewer hospital beds, nurses, and frontline staff,” said Miller.

The McGuinty government has already told Ontario hospitals to brace for significantly reduced budgets in the coming year.

“What’s scary is that the planned cuts at HHS are a best-case scenario. After the March provincial budget, we may well see another $18-million in budget cuts,” said Miller.

“The government has an obligation to provide adequate health care services. Instead of shovelling out millions of dollars to health care consultants, our precious health care dollars need to be spent preserving services in our communities.”

Miller called on the McGuinty government to stop dodging the bullet and instead address the growing crisis in Hamilton and across the Niagara Region.

“Instead of deflecting blame and hiding behind the LHINs, this government needs a plan of action to keep hospital services at acceptable levels,” he said.

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Media Contact: Paul Miller (905) 545-0114

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