Sources say the Ontario government plans to expand capacities for independent health facilities
Government sources say more surgeries will soon be performed in private facilities.
The sources, who were not authorized to speak, say the Ontario government plans to expand capacities of existing independent health facilities.
They add this will be the first step of the province's plan to reform surgical health care, which will focus on expanding cataract surgeries.
This will be followed by a second phase that will expand orthopedic surgeries such as knee and hip replacements.
Earlier this week, Premier Doug Ford hinted at the move, saying more independent health care facilities are needed in order to tackle the surgical backlog and that patients will not have to pay for them.
Last summer, Health Minister Sylvia Jones noted the province plans to have some surgeries performed outside of the hospital system.
An official announcement is expected next week.
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