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Ontario's Financial Watchdog Says Ontario to Be Short Thousands of PSWs and Nurses in Five Years

Ontario's fiscal watchdog paints a dire picture of the province's healthcare system

Ontario's financial watchdog says in five years, the province will be short 33,000 nurses and personal support workers.

In a report released today, the Financial Accountability Office says over the next five years, the province needs to allocate another 21-billion dollars to cover its commitments for hospital, long-term-care and home-care expansions.

As a result, the FAO notes the province will not likely have enough beds and staff to keep up with demand.

In recent years, Ontario's health care system has faced challenges such as severe staffing shortages and a large surgical backlog.

The watchdog notes the province could address the shortfall by spending more in upcoming budgets.

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