Ontario's hospitals applaud Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's ER Wait Times Program expansion

The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) is encouraged by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's announcement to expand its Emergency Room (ER) Pay for Results Program. The OHA considers this expansion a positive step forward in improving both access to care and health system accountability.

"Hospitals are eager to reduce wait times while maintaining an appropriate level of health care for Ontarians," says Tom Closson, President and CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association. "A lot of work has been done to date to reduce ER wait times, and it is encouraging to see that the momentum continues to build for making such improvements within the system."

As seen with surgical wait times, transparency, when coupled with dedicated resources, can lead to dramatic improvements for patients. Expanding the ER Wait Times Program means hospitals will be able to expand their ER teams, improve their patient flow processes, and, above all, get patients the care they need sooner.

Together, Ontario's hospitals and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care remain committed to a collectively reducing wait times in emergency rooms.