Liberals Continue to Cut Barrie and Simcoe County Health Services

BARRIE – Last week, the Barrie Endoscopy Clinic announced they will be closing as a direct result of this Liberal Government’s cuts to health care, forcing patients requiring these services to join an already lengthy waiting list for procedures at Royal Victoria Hospital. 

Barrie Endoscopy Clinic provides endoscopic procedures related to the study, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and conditions.  The clinic is one of the only facilities providing procedures in a comfortable and safe out-of-hospital setting within the region.   

“The Auditor General found that these tests are 20 per cent to 40 per cent less expensive if delivered in community clinics rather than in hospitals, yet the Liberals have broken a promise by cancelling funding and cutting payments for the potentially life-saving services they provide,” said Leader of the Official Opposition and Simcoe North MPP Patrick Brown. 

Minister Eric Hoskins routinely touts the Wynne Liberals’ plan to move care out of the hospitals and into the community, but cut after cut to hospitals, physician services, and home and community care reveals an erosion of the entire system. 

“It’s clear this government has no sustainable plan for health care in this province,” added Ontario PC Health Critic Jeff Yurek. “The closure of this clinic means that even more patients will be denied timely access to care when they are added to the waitlist of an already overburdened hospital.  Liberal waste and mismanagement continues to put the health and well-being of Barrie and Simcoe County residents, and all Ontarians, at risk.”

This clinic isn’t alone. Barrie’s Huronia Urgent Care Clinic struggles to stay afloat as funding is cut at a rate of $5,000 per month, despite saving an estimated $12 million annually by keeping patients out of the Emergency Room.  In the face of cuts to essential services in Barrie, local MPP Ann Hoggarth has remained silent.  

“As the Liberals continue to slash the health care services Barrie residents rely on, we’ve heard nothing from MPP Hoggarth,” concluded Brown. “It’s her job to bring issues affecting her constituents to the Liberal Caucus table, but all we’ve seen is inaction.  It’s time for MPP Hoggarth to stand up to Minister Hoskins, and tell him these cuts need to stop for the sake of patients in her riding.”