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McGuinty Government Improving Access
To Cardiac Services In Northwestern Ontario
 June
3, 2006
The McGuinty government is ensuring angioplasty services
are available for Northwestern Ontario residents, Health and
Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.
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"We're on the side of
residents of Northwestern Ontario who want and deserve
the best health care, including access to angioplasty
services," Smitherman said. "We have asked the
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to provide
angioplasty services that will ensure close-to-home treatment
for those who need access to this important cardiac procedure." |
Angioplasty is a medical procedure in which
a balloon is used to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels
of the heart. Establishing a stand alone angioplasty service
in Thunder Bay will fulfill a key recommendation from
the 2005 Integrated Service Plan for Northwestern Ontario
prepared by Tom Closson.
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"This is great news for the people
of Northwestern Ontario," said Bill Mauro, MPP for
Thunder Bay-Atikokan. "This announcement further
shows this government's commitment to high-quality cardiac
care services in communities across Ontario." |
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"This service has long had the support
of the community in Thunder Bay," said Michael Gravelle,
MPP Thunder Bay-Superior North. "I am extremely happy
that the Minister has recognized its importance." |
This is just the latest example of how the McGuinty government
is on the side of Northwestern Ontario residents. Other recent
initiatives include:
- An investment of $6.2 million in funding towards increasing
services and lowering wait times in the five key areas, including
$144,950 for an additional 128 cardiac procedures
- The provision of $1.98 million in new funding for improved
home care and community support services
- Expanding access to doctors and nurses by creating
150 new Family Health Teams across the province, including
11 in the North West Local Health Integration Network.
Today's initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan
for innovation in public health, 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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