Government strengthens land ambulance service

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith
Media Release

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The McGuinty government is providing an additional $283,972 in planned funding for 2007 to the Nipissing District Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) to strengthen land ambulance services in Nipissing, MPP Monique Smith announced today on behalf of Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman.

“We want Ontarians to know that quality ambulance services are available to them whenever they face a health emergency,” said Smith. “This additional investment will enable our government and DNSSAB to maintain the high standards of land ambulance services that are currently provided in our communities. The people of this province deserve nothing less.”

“We’re making good on our promise to invest additional funds on land ambulance services to balance the sharing of costs with municipalities,” Smitherman said. “These are crucial services to every resident of Ontario. It’s important that all partners are working together to provide the best land ambulance services possible.”

Other initiatives by the McGuinty government benefiting the health of Ontarians include:

- Committing more than $142 million in new resources through a three-point Emergency Department Action Plan to address challenges faced by emergency departments in Ontario

- Proceeding with a $96 million comprehensive plan to reduce ambulance offload delays and improve critical care at Ontario hospitals

- Increasing operating grant funding to hospitals to $12.9 billion in 2006/07, $13.4 billion in 2007/08, and $14 billion in 2008/09.

Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty government’s plan for innovation in public health care, building a system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

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