As part of the 2016 budget, the Province of Ontario plans to invest $12 billion over 10 years in Ontario hospitals to continue building modern hospital infrastructure.
A press release sent out this week by the province says they are also providing $50 million in new annual funding to help hospitals keep their facilities in good repair.
The province says these health care infrastructure investments are helping expand access to high-quality care so patients receive the care they need in a safe and healthy environment.
Across the province, approximately 35 major hospital projects are under construction or in various stages of planning.
“Making these important investments in hospitals will ensure patients get the high-quality health care they need – when they need it,” stated Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “It is just one of the ways in which we are putting patients first, by improving the performance of our health care system while working to ensure it is sustainable to meet the future needs of Ontarians.”
Examples of hospital projects being planned or already underway include:
– Mackenzie Health’s new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital project
– A new Providence Care Hospital in Kingston
– The renovation of acute and long-term care beds at the Atikokan General Hospital
– An expansion and redevelopment at Cambridge Memorial Hospital.
The province says investing in health infrastructure is part of the government’s plan to improve access to high‐quality, reliable, specialized health care services and facilities for Ontarians, now and in the future.
“Supporting strong public services that Ontarians rely on requires making strategic investments beyond the service itself,” stated Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance.
“That’s why our 2016 Budget committed $12 billion over 10 years to capital grants to help communities across Ontario build new and improved hospitals so all Ontario families continue to receive quality health care. Making strategic investments in infrastructure projects such as these not only supports Ontario’s high-quality health care system, but also creates jobs and stimulates Ontario’s economy.”
Anthony Dale, President and CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association, says throughout Ontario, hospitals are often viewed as organizations that play an important role in local communities.
“Today’s announcement will allow for continued modernization of Ontario hospitals, ensuring that state-of-the-art facilities exist for all Ontarians,” he stated.
“The Ontario Hospital Association applauds the government for its continued commitment to and investment in patient and client-centred care.”
Provincial officials say Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province’s history — about $160 billion over 12 years, which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals.
In 2015, the province announced support for more than 325 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life.
Wallaceburg’s hospital has been at the forefront recently, as the CKHA says a $1.8M deficit if forcing them to put “everything on the table” in terms of considering possible cuts.
More details
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Imagine project background: New direction for a brand new Wallaceburg hospital
The information about the provincial budget, and the money ear-marked to build, or renovate hospitals, will be news I suppose to the CKHA’s CEO; he has given up on Wallaceburg. I believe that without community involvement , the Wallaceburg ER will be changed into a glorified
Walk- In Clinic.
The community has to become very vocal about what it needs…a full service ER, open 24/7 is what is needed!
Come out to the Wallaceburg Health Coalition’s Town Hall meeting on April 7 at 6 PM at the UAW hall; together will will begin the pushback against closing any more services in Wallaceburg and if we all work together, we will win!