Fedeli say NE LHIN should be scrapped

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli
News Release

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New information on costs incurred by Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) provide further proof the wasteful bureaucracies should be scrapped, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said today.

According to the newly released 2011-2012 Public Accounts, the North East LHIN spent $1.2 million on office furniture, computers, leasehold improvements and web
development.

“These wasted local healthcare dollars should be put towards frontline services that patients rely on,” said Fedeli.

“LHINs don’t deliver services, interact with patients or drive innovation, despite massive amounts of spending. They’re simply too large to be considered local.”

Provincewide, the LHINs spent a combined $82.5 million on administration last year.

That money could have hired more than 1,400 nurses or paid for 2,750 cancer treatments.

Fedeli noted the Ontario PCs Paths to Prosperity: Patient-Centred Health Care would eliminate two layers of middle management including the LHINs, meaning fewer bureaucrats, CEOs and real estate – and more money for patients.

“Our patient-centred approach is focused on keeping people healthy, enhancing patient satisfaction and reducing cost of care per person,” said Fedeli.

Fedeli added health hubs linked to regional hospitals are the strongest platform to build from because the infrastructure and organizational expertise are already in place.

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