Media Advisory - OHC Launches Regional Summits on Major Changes to Hospital
Funding

TORONTO, Sept. 21 /CNW/ -     

When & Where:
	Hamilton Tues, Sept 21, Legion, 435 Limeridge Rd E, 10am-3pm
	Sault Ste. Marie Wed, Sept 22-3pm, Legion, 96 Great Northern Rd, 10am-3pm
	London Thurs, Sept 23, CAW Hall Local 27, 606 First St, 10am-3pm
	Sudbury Sat, September 25, Legion, 1553 Weller St, 10am-3pm
	Ottawa Mon, Sept 27, Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe St 10am-3pm
	Toronto Tues, Sept 28, Metro Central YMCA, 20 Grosvenor St, 10:30am-3:30pm

What:  
The provincial government is changing the way hospitals are funded, moving away from block grants to a type of fee-for-service funding. This is a revolutionary change. If it is adopted, it could mean the end of community hospitals as we know them. It means major hospital restructuring. It means the centralization of procedures and major changes for the workforce. It entails a host of new administrative costs.

This system has already been tried in the UK where it resulted in serious financial instability for hospitals, privatization and major cuts.  Presentations will include video and power point presentations featuring experts from the U.K. Speakers will also provide updates and analysis on local hospital cuts and restructuring and the LHINs.

Speakers:

   Hamilton

• Dr. Stephen Birch, former LHIN board member who resigned
  
• Derrell Dular, Older Canadians Network
  
• Vicki McKenna, Ontario Nurses' Association
  
• Jill McIllwraith, OPSEU
  
• Natalie Mehra, Ontario Health Coalition

   Sault Ste. Marie & Sudbury

• Natalie Mehra, Ontario Health Coalition

   London

• Tim Carrie, CAW
• Nancy McMurphy, CAW
• Natalie Mehra, Ontario Health Coalition

   Ottawa

• Michael Hurley, OCHU/CUPE
• Ross Sutherland R.N., M.A.
• Natalie Mehra, Ontario Health Coalition

   Toronto

• Professor Hugh Armstrong
• Vicki McKenna, Ontario Nurses' Association
• Smokey Thomas, OPSEU
• Derrell Dular, Older Canadians Network
• Michael Hurley , OCHU/CUPE
• Natalie Mehra, Ontario Health Coalition   

For further information:

Natalie Mehra 416-441-2502(office), 416-230-6402 (cell)