CKHA receiving $2.18-million for hospital upgrades

Ontario’s government is investing $2.4-million this year to address critical upgrades, repairs and maintenance at the hospitals in Chatham-Kent and Leamington.

Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton made the announcement on Monday.

Provincial officials say the Chatham Kent Health Alliance will receive $2,177,881 and Erie Shores Healthcare will receive $275,949 for 2020 and 2021 through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund.

The funding will be used to complete various projects, including:

– Air quality improvements, work to the fire suppression system and a new urology service for Chatham-Kent Health Alliance at the Wallaceburg and Chatham sites.

– Replacing a portion of the roof and a new heat exchange system for Erie Shores.

“These investments of $2.18-million for CKHA and $276,000 for Erie Shores Healthcare by our government will greatly help our hospitals for people throughout my riding,” Nicholls said in a media release.

“This repair work is critical for ensuring patients are comfortable and safe. As we continue to fight COVID-19, this is welcome news.”

Provincial officials say the investment is part of a provincial plan to spend $175-million across 129 Ontario hospitals through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund.

“Our frontline workers have been superheroes during this pandemic,” stated MPP McNaughton, in a press release.

“I am proud that our government is continuing to invest in critical infrastructure to support the men and women who save lives every day. We are all grateful for their service.”

Lori Marshall, president and CEO at the CKHA, said they are “thrilled” with the announcement.

“These funds will go towards high priority facility upgrades at both of our sites in Wallaceburg and Chatham,” Marshall said in a media release.

“This investment allows us to continue delivering safe, high quality service for our community.”

Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, said maintaining hospital infrastructure is an example of how the Provincial government is ensuring that Ontarians have access to health care services they can depend on.

“Our ongoing investments to support essential projects like repairing roofs and windows and adding more isolation spaces can make a big difference to a patient’s experience,” Elliott said in a media release.

Provincial officials added Ontario is investing an additional $7.4-million to address ongoing urgent and/or emergent infrastructure renewal needs for community health service providers who met specific criteria on a priority basis, through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund.

- Advertisment -