MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2008

Contracting private surgeries a misuse of public funds, says Council of Canadians

Halifax – The Nova Scotia government’s decision to pay $1-million to a for-profit clinic is a misuse of health care funds that could be spent more efficiently within the public system, says the Council of Canadians.

Next month, publicly funded minor surgeries are set to begin at the for-profit Scotia Surgery Inc. facilities in Dartmouth. The private clinic intends to charge $500 an hour for the rent of its facilities and staff.

"Private companies should not be making money to deliver our health care services," says Atlantic organizer Angela Giles. "Premier Rodney MacDonald should be focusing on fixing the real concern in our province – the shortage of doctors and nurses – not worsening the situation."

The province's health minister Chris d'Entremont has said of this contract, "We are proud to be taking a national leadership role in reducing wait times."

Health campaigner Guy Caron responds, "We recognize that wait times are an issue, but the answer isn’t to give money to a private surgery clinic. There are clear examples across the country of how wait times can be reduced in the public system."

Mr. Caron points to the Queensway-Carleton Joint Replacement Project in Ottawa. This publicly-funded and publicly-delivered project sees patients no later than two weeks after they are referred by a family physician. Waiting lists have been streamlined and surgeons expect to perform 1,200 joint replacements in 2008 – three times the number completed in 2004.

"Studies have shown that private clinics, in comparison, have higher costs, lower health outcomes, provide no public accountability, and draw health care professionals from the public system," adds Mr. Caron.

The Council of Canadians is calling on the Nova Scotia government to cancel its pricey contract with Scotia Surgery Inc. and reinvest those needed dollars back into the public health care system.

-30-

About us:

Founded in 1985, the Council of Canadians is Canada’s largest citizens’ organization, with members and chapters across the country. The organization promotes progressive policies on fair trade, clean water, public health care, and other issues of social and economic concern to Canadians.

- 30 -

For more information, contact:
Dylan Penner, Media Officer: Tel.: (613) 233-4487, ext. 249;

Visit profitisnotthecure.ca for health care resources and to download fact sheets.