MPP David Piccini at Campbellford Memorial Hospital

“The status quo is not working.” MPP Piccini

MPP Continues to Advocate for Campus of Care in Trent Hills

Article by Sue Dickens

Campbellford – Tues., Feb. 7, 2023 - Following the recent announcement to give $13 million to Campbellford Memorial Hospital for infrastructure needs to keep the hospital functioning, MPP David Piccini spoke with Trent Hills Now about the province’s national health care plan: Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care.

This national health care approach is a clear indication that “the status quo is not working,” said Piccini. “And we’ve got to unearth every stone to deliver better patient-centered care. And that’s why the Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care matters for every single Ontarian and it is focused on three pillars that Ontarians can resonate with, the right care at the right place, faster access to care, and hiring more health care workers.”

The plan focuses on providing people with a better health care experience by connecting them to more convenient options closer to home while shortening wait times for key services across the province and growing the health care workforce for years to come.

Some of the plan has already been announced. “It means that our local pharmacies in Trent hills are now able to prescribe medication for an additional 13 common ailments. I’ve had incredible feedback from constituents on that at our local pharmacies,” Piccini noted.

Pillar one includes making it faster and easier for youth to connect to mental health and substance use support, primary care, social services and more by adding eight additional Youth Wellness Hubs to the 14 that are already operating across the province.

“Stay tuned for more on that. I’ll be joined by our mental health minister soon in Peterborough to make an announcement that will cover our community,” said Piccini.

The new plan also includes expanding team-based care through Ontario Health Teams to better connect and coordinate people’s care within their own community by improving their transition between various health care providers and ensuring their health records follow them wherever they go for care.

Pillar Two called “Faster Access to Care,” makes it easier and faster to get publicly funded surgeries and procedures by further leveraging the support of community surgical and diagnostic centres to eliminate surgical backlogs and reduce wait times. These are to be done in private care facilities but the surgeries will be publicly funded.

‘We’re unlocking 49,000 hours and MRI and CT scans and community centers addressing the cataract backlog…and I think that matters for seniors and people if you’re languishing, waiting for care and your situation worsens…I’d be irresponsible if I didn’t leverage the ability to tackle the backlog,” said Piccini.

Pillar Two also includes providing paramedics more flexibility to treat people who call 9-1-1 at home or on scene in the community rather than in emergency rooms.

“Community paramedicine has been big for Trent hills, you know, we’ve got our new base for paramedics (new EMS Base in Campbellford) and community paramedicine is allowing these paramedics to proactively help seniors age in place and practice their profession in a non emergency setting. And that’s been a lifesaver in Trent Hills. And that’s what keeps them out of hospital. And when they’re out of hospital it’s better for them and it’s better for our system,” Piccini told Trent Hills Now.

He referred to the announcement for infrastructure funding to Campbellford, and said, “We’re building healthcare infrastructure in every corner of the province, a $40 billion investment, that’s 14 billion more than under the liberals. And we’re doing it in every community.”

He talked about the need for a new hospital here in Campbellford.

“Trent Hills can’t wait for a new campus of care and we’re continuing to advocate there, but today’s investment of 13 million is the single largest investment in this hospital’s history. And the last one before that was when we were first elected so we recognize Trent Hill deserves more than the status quo…we know what’s not working for Trent Hills. That’s why we’re committed to fixing it together,” he said.

The province’s plan also means building almost 60,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds to help address wait lists for long-term care and ensure seniors are being cared for in the right place, where they can connect to more supports, activities and social activities.

And last but not least Pillar Three, “Hiring More Healthcare Workers.” This involves moving forward with, as stated in the media release, “the largest medical school education expansion in more than a decade by adding 160 undergraduate seats and 295 postgraduate positions over the next five years.”

Piccini commented, “We’ve got nurses graduating from Loyalist (College) for the first time ever. And under the learning program, we’re paying and incentivizing them to stay and to stay in rural Ontario longer so it is focused on rural Ontario.”

He mentioned the expanding education and training opportunities for those interested in working in health care, including expanding the Learn and Stay grant that is helping more than a dozen growing and underserved communities grow their health care workforce by covering the costs of tuition, books and other direct educational costs for postsecondary students who enroll in high-priority programs in return for working in those communities for up to two years after they graduate.

“So we pay the tuition if you stay and make a commitment of a minimum five years to stay in rural Ontario. This is a game changer,” said Piccini. “This program really addresses leaving no stone unturned. We’re not just putting all our eggs in one basket and we’re going to train more.”

Piccini added, ”If you’re part of the record number of immigrants who landed in Ontario, the largest number last year than at any time since 1913, we’re saying to you, you’re going to train and we’re going to credential and license you faster than at any point in Ontario’s history…. We already have 5000 International trainees practicing so you know that’s been huge.”

As well the government is introducing new “As of Right” rules that will allow health care workers registered in other provinces and territories to immediately start working and caring for people without first having to register with one of Ontario’s health regulatory colleges.

In the meantime, he says, he continues to advocate for a Campus of Care here in Campbellford.

“Mayor (Bob) Crate has been a huge champion for this and getting so much done with staff and council ….and we’re bringing all hands on deck,” Piccini said. He mentioned the recent meetings held at Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference as well to advocate for a new hospital, which Trent Hills Now has already reported on.

MPP Piccini says he welcomes the pressure of advocating for the new hospital here, “Because when I’m standing there in these meetings, I know I’ve got 1000s of people, whether they may not be in the room, they’re behind me. They’re behind this push for a new campus. So I’m incredibly grateful for that.”