7/29/2010
Health Minister Deb Matthews is expanding a government program that gives Ontario emergency rooms extra cash to reduce wait times.
The province is spending $100 million this year to help 71 high-volume ERs reduce wait times by tracking patient flow and hiring staff to treat and discharge patients.
Although 25 additional ERs will tap into the program this year, more than half of the province's 163 emergency departments are left out.
Progressive Conservative Lisa MacLeod says she's not impressed that the government thinks waiting 10 hours or less in an ER is a success.
She says anyone who's visited an ER in the province knows that more needs to be done to reduce the wait.
MacLeod says the government should invest in nursing homes to free up space in hospitals for patients who need urgent care.
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