Ford’s cuts leaves northern Ontario patients without medical transportation

QUEEN’S PARK – Following a clear failure by Ford and his Conservatives to coordinate and take responsibility for health care services in Northern Ontario, NDP MPP Lise Vaugeois (Thunder Bay – Superior North), and NDP Shadow Minister for Health Care MPP France Gélinas (Nickel Belt) have released the following joint statement:

“The Ford government’s inaction is already having serious consequences across the North,” said MPP Vaugeois. “The loss of medical transportation is hitting First Nations communities the hardest, deepening existing inequities in access to care.”

In places like Greenstone and the French River, services have disappeared because local communities do not have the resources to provide these services. This leaves residents without a safe or reliable way to attend medical appointments.

“I’ve heard from people directly including an ALS patient in Longlac who is frustrated, exhausted, and afraid.” How does someone suffering from a debilitating disease get themselves to Thunder Bay for the care they need?”

MPP Gélinas added: “While there are federal obligations to support First Nations, the delivery of health care services, including ensuring patients can actually get to care, is a provincial responsibility.

“Doug Ford and his Conservatives cannot continue to pass the buck while people are left without options. They must step in now, and guarantee reliable medical transportation so patients can access the care they need, when they need it.”