The Ontario government will allow an increase in the number of private clinics that can perform surgical and diagnostic procedures in an attempt to reduce wait times in hospital emergency rooms.

The announcement, issued by Health Minister Sylvia Jones today, Wednesday, includes legislation passed in May that allows private for-profit and non-profit clinics to perform surgeries covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

The covered procedures include cataract surgeries, MRI and CT scans, gynecological surgeries, and knee and hip replacements.

Jones said that more than 900 community surgical and diagnostic centers are currently operating in Ontario.

Jones added that starting from spring 2024, the government will allow more centers to perform these surgeries, noting that this will enable the completion of MRI and CT scans, GI endoscopies, and orthopedic surgeries.

Jones did not mention the number of clinics that will be licensed to perform these surgeries.

She continued during her talk with journalists, "We will continue to monitor the areas with the longest wait times for diagnosis or surgery during expansion planning, focusing strongly to ensure services are provided in communities with the highest wait times and greatest need."

The minister also said that the Canadian Academic Accreditation will be the open body responsible for ensuring quality and safety standards.

Previously, the government said that the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the College of Midwives of Ontario will act as inspection bodies for the program.