By Rosalind Russell – The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions says hospital spending on for-profit staffing agencies jumped by 216% in Northeastern Ontario over 10 years.
The union cites a new study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
Officials say the staffing crisis stemming from chronic underfunding of Ontario’s hospitals has fueled the dramatic growth.
Recommendations include stabilizing hospital finances, phasing out private staffing agencies and creating a public sector alternative, and building a stronger primary care foundation with Community Health Centres.
Along with expanding primary care teams, last week’s provincial budget included $280 million over two years to support the expansion of Integrated Community Health Service Centres.
The province also says it’s investing about $56 billion over the next 10 years in health infrastructure.
Screenshot by Rosalind Russell
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