Shortchanging Physiotherapy Hurts Patients

QUEEN’S PARK — NDP Shadow Minister of Health MPP France Gélinas (Nickel Belt) released the following statement in response to the Minister of Health’s near frozen budget for the last 13 years, for community physiotherapy services.

“Access to Physiotherapy is an important part of staying healthy after an injury or surgery. Patients get back to work sooner and rely less on pain killers during recovery. I agree with the Ontario Physiotherapy Association that the Ford government and Health Minister Sylvia Jones are not recognizing the value that physiotherapists add to our health care system.

“Access to OHIP funded community physiotherapy plays a central role in this government’s stated priorities; aging at home, expanding day surgeries and ending hallway medicine.

“Although the Ford Conservatives don’t see the value of OHIP funded physiotherapy, patients do. Patients will be forced to pull out their credit card not their OHIP card to access the community Physiotherapy care they need to stay mobile, active, pain free and healthy.”

ADDITIONAL QUOTES:

“Despite a commitment to end hallway medicine and increase investments in primary care and home care, it appears that this government undervalues the Community Physiotherapy Program’s role in achieving both objectives. There is no increase in funding for physiotherapy clinics who deliver care and no response to the growth of wait lists and wait times for services.”

Sarah Hutchison, CEO of the Ontario Physiotherapy Association