NDP Leader Andrea Horwath vows to improve wait times

A London senior who complained to her local MPP regarding lengthy hospital wait times received an unexpected prompt response.

"Not being able to do the things I love has taken a toll on my physical well-being, as well asmy emotional and mental state," said Beverely McCann, who has been waiting for more than 18 months for a double hip replacement.

She sent an email tolocal NDP MPP Peggy Sattlerwho responded with a call to action.

Ontario's NDP Leader Andrea Horwathinvited McCann to an announcement near the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) Monday to deliver a party promise to tacklethe province'sgrowing health-care crisis.

"When you or your loved ones are unwell or hurt, you should be able to get the health care that you need (but) that's not what's happening," said Horwath.

With an election slated for next year,Horwathhighlighted a commitment to create Canada's first universalpharmacareprogram, which would provide drug coverage across the board. She also introduced a moratorium on layoffs of front-line care providers to keep up with inflation and population growth.

Since 2012, the LHSC has been operating over capacity for more than five years for its acute-care and mental-health beds. A total of$113-million in funding reductions led to hundreds of frontline staff cuts, with extended wait times among the highest in the province.

Marybeth Braidenwas among concerned citizens at Monday's announcement. She has been in and out of local hospitals since 2006, when she discovered she was living with MS.

"I have lost my career. I have lost my teeth. I have lost my hearing. I have lost all of my friends because being sick is quite isolating," she said. "I have been affected by the delays through the cuts of the Ontario government. They have affected me psychologically, physically and financially as well."

Although Horwath is anticipating further funding cuts under the current provincial government, Liberal MPP Deb Matthews says the province has done a good job at bringing down wait times, saying Ontario isn't in a health-care crisis.

"We have one of the best health-care systems in the world. We are very blessed to have the health-care system we have," said Matthews. "Do I think we have more to do? Of course we do."

This year, the LHSC is set to receive up to $17 million in new investments, pouring funding into priority programs, hip and knee replacements and emergency department wait times.

Monday's announcement included statements local MPP Teresa Armstrong, and concerned patients and health-care providers.