January 18th, 2021

Ford’s secret triage protocols troubling: NDP

HAMILTON AND OTTAWA — As hospitals continue to fill beyond capacity, the Ford government has issued a triage protocol to decide who will get life saving ventilator support, and who will not. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the protocol shows that the crisis in hospitals is out of control, and that Ford’s attempt to keep it secret is wrong.

“This document shows us all that we are on the path to heart-wrenching choices and devastating loss if we don’t make this lockdown count with stronger measures — paid sick days, more help in long-term care, and in-workplace and in-school testing,” said Horwath. “People that are loved dearly — people that need medical help the most — could be left to die if we do not make the choice to throw everything we’ve got at this virus.”

The protocol, obtained by the NDP, is dated Jan. 13. It was wrong to keep it under wraps, said Horwath. Had physicians not reached out to the Official Opposition and others, the directive that was written in secret, without consultation, would remain a secret.

Joel Harden, NDP critic for Seniors as well as Accessibility and Persons with Disabilities, said he agrees with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance (AODA), which has also read the protocols, and is raising concerns that some people, including those living with disabilities, could be denied care.

“This shows that Ford knows how dire the situation is. And it leaves us all to ask why time and again, he keeps choosing half-measures,” said Harden. “There are people now forced to live in fear, believing that they may not get the care they deserve if they end up in the ICU.

Background

Triage protocol document attached.