Ontario Hospital Association supports review, reform of Public Hospitals Act
Has potential to create safer, more transparent system: Closson
Wednesday March 10, 2010 -- Natalie Hamilton
The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) is embracing the Province's commitment to review the Public Hospitals Act (PHA), foreseeing the potential for a healthcare system that is "accountable, transparent and safer."

The association, hospitals and other healthcare providers have called for reform of the PHA for some time. The announcement was included in the healthcare component of the government's Open Ontario Plan outlined in the March 8 Speech from the Throne.

“The OHA was delighted that the government of Ontario has clearly signalled its intention to review and reform the (PHA),” says OHA president and CEO Tom Closson in a news release.

“This review has the potential to bring our healthcare system into the 21st century, making it more accountable, transparent and safer.”

The OHA says it's encouraged by other components of the Open Ontario Plan related to healthcare, including announcements about a continued commitment to reduce emergency wait times and measures to improve and clarify health system accountability.

“Overall, the Throne Speech featured great news for Ontarians, who want better access to safer patient care, and for hospitals, which have been working hard to improve the quality of patient services while also improving efficiency,” Closson adds.

Other healthcare highlights of the Throne Speech include:

* Legislation to make healthcare providers and executives accountable for improving patient care.
* The creation of an independent, expert advisory body to provide recommendations on clinical practice guidelines.
* The movement towards the use of a standardized formula when allocating healthcare funding.
 
"Ontario’s health system not only provides world-class care for patients but develops leading-edge treatments and research," the government says.

"Open Ontario will export that expertise to the world while providing quality care at home."

Read more about the Open Ontario Plan, by clicking here.

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