Minister urged to approve new lab and diagnostic imaging services in East Wellington

NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2013

Minister urged to approve new lab and diagnostic imaging
services in East Wellington

(Queen’s Park) – The Minister of Health should recognize the need for new medical laboratory and
diagnostic imaging services at the East Wellington Family Health Team, says Wellington-Halton Hills
MPP Ted Arnott.

In a statement in the Ontario Legislature on June 11, Mr. Arnott commended the East Wellington
Family Health Team for their compassion and professionalism and urged the Hon. Deb Matthews to
approve these needed, new health services.

“Recently, I received word from the East Wellington Family Health Team that they’re seeking to
establish a laboratory service on site, as well as diagnostic imaging services,” said Mr. Arnott. “I
want to offer my unqualified support for this idea.”

“Right now, our local residents in these underserved communities must travel up to 47 kilometres
and wait many long hours for lab services,” Mr. Arnott explained. “Our seniors and people with
chronic conditions like diabetes deserve better.”

“Granting a new specimen collection centre licence for the East Wellington Family Health Team
would improve health service for the local and surrounding population, facilitate the recruitment and
retention of physicians in our area, support our health professionals in implementing the ministry’s
preventive care initiatives, give patients an alternative to waiting at the local hospital emergency
department and provide care for seniors closer to home,” he continued.

Mr. Arnott called on the Minister of Health to review the need and to ensure that the necessary
approvals were put in place.

After he finished his statement, Mr. Arnott spoke to the Minister in the Legislative Chamber to
impress upon her the importance of the issue. He also followed up with her office later on in
afternoon.

(Attached: Hansard record of Mr. Arnott’s statement in the Ontario Legislature, June 11, 2013)

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Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org

Ontario Hansard – 11-June2013

Mr. Ted Arnott: The East Wellington Family Health Team has been an outstanding health care success
story in Wellington-Halton Hills, providing health services to residents in the Erin, Rockwood and Acton
areas. I’ve been very pleased to work with this organization and their compassionate, professional staff,
supporting them in any way I can.
Recently, I received word from the East Wellington Family Health Team that they’re seeking to establish
a laboratory service on site, as well as diagnostic imaging services. I want to offer my unqualified support
for this idea.
Right now, our local residents in these underserved communities must travel up to 47 kilometres and wait
many long hours for lab services. Our seniors and people with chronic conditions like diabetes deserve
better. Granting a new specimen collection centre licence for the East Wellington Family Health Team
would improve health service for the local and surrounding population, facilitate the recruitment and
retention of physicians in our area, support our health professionals in implementing the ministry’s
preventive care initiatives, give patients an alternative to waiting at the local hospital emergency
department and provide care for seniors closer to home.
I call upon the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to review the need for lab and diagnostic imaging
services in the east Wellington area and provide the necessary approvals without delay.