THUNDER BAY – John Rafferty, candidate for the Ontario NDP in the upcoming 2018 provincial election, is raising alarm bells about the latest round of cuts by Premier Kathleen Wynne to health care services for the people of the Northwest.
Rafferty said “The closure of Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital and the firing of front line care workers will hurt patients and further reduce access to mental health programs and services”.
“Northerners are already underserved when it comes to access to health care including mental health supports. The community can’t take any further reduction to programs and services,” said Rafferty. “Premier Wynne has put us in a terrible position. Northerners deserve equal access to care, instead families here are at a tipping point.”
Rafferty said that any changes to health care facilities in northern Ontario must deliver improved access to programs and services, not worsen the situation with longer wait lists, fewer front line care workers, and more hallway medicine. Unfortunately, Premier Wynne doesn’t get the needs of northerners and her government has failed to respect the priorities of the north.
“Only a change in government will bring dependable health care to northerners. New Democrats will stop Wynne Liberal cuts to hospitals and health care services,” said Rafferty. “The time is long overdue for real investments in mental health, and an end to hallway medicine.”
