The president of the Ontario Hospital Association has a blunt message for hospitals – they need the right mix of services in a zero percent funding environment. Anthony Dale delivered that message to hospital officials while on a visit to North Bay. Dale says hospitals in Ontario are creating new healthcare models in this new environment which include integrating services. He says health hubs are a way of achieving this. Health hubs link various sectors in public health which are designed to improve patient access. Dale says the challenge for communities is determining how many beds are needed in addition to long-term care homes and assisted living spaces.
OHA president Anthony Dale (right) with Michael Lowe, chair of the North Bay hospital board