Ontario is increasing the use of private providers of public health care

In an effort to relieve pressure on the hospital system, Ontario is increasing the private delivery of public health care by paying clinics to undertake more cataract operations, MRI and CT scans, colonoscopies, hip and knee replacements, and other treatments.

However, some claim the changes will make patients more susceptible to paying out-of-pocket, lengthen wait times, and drain staff from the struggling public hospital system.

Premier Doug Ford made the statement on Monday and lamented the "endless debates" over who should provide healthcare, saying that all that matters to him is providing people with the care they require as soon as possible and in a secure manner.

A three-step proposal to perform more treatments at private clinics was presented on Monday by Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones. Both emphasised that the Ontario Health Insurance Plan would continue to cover the costs of the operations and tests.

According to the province, there are around 206,000 individuals waiting for surgical operations.

It's time to start approaching the healthcare system differently, according to Ford.