Ontario extends program that helps rural and northern hospitals avoid ER closures

Ontario is extending a program that helps rural andnorthern hospitals avoid temporary ER closures for another sixmonths.

The province established what's now known as the Temporary LocumProgram during the pandemic and has renewed it several times, oftenat the last minute.

It had been set to expire again at the end of this month, and theMinistry of Health has now told eligible hospitals that it will nowbe in effect until Sept. 30.

Many of the province's more isolated hospitals rely on doctorsfrom urban areas filling shifts on what is known as a locum basis,and the Temporary Locum Program pays them a premium as an incentive.

A spokesperson for Health Minister Sylvia Jones has said thegovernment is working on a permanent solution with the OntarioMedical Association.

NDP health critic France Gelinas has said the government needs tocome up with a permanent solution now, instead of constantlyrenewing the program on a temporary basis at the last minute.