Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson has announced that more than $6.5 million has been awarded to local hospitals in new funding for 2021-22. These investments build on the increased investments announced by Thompson in 2019 and 2020.Those receiving the increases include:
- South Bruce Grey Health Centre (including hospitals in Kincardine, Walkerton, Chesley, and Durham): – $686,300 in 2021/22 new investment, which represents a 2% increase to the estimated base and one-time funding of $34,311,724 received in 2020/21
- Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (Goderich): – $370,900 in 2021/22 new investment, which represents a 2% increase to the estimated base and one-time funding of $18,543,389 received in 2020/21
- Clinton Public Hospital: – $213,900 in 2021/22 new investment, which represents a 2% increase to the estimated base and one-time funding of $10,690,468 received in 2020/21
- Seaforth Community Hospital: – $165,500 in 2021/22 new investment, which represents a 2% increase to the estimated base and one-time funding of $8,272,984 received in 2020/21
- South Huron Hospital Association (Exeter): – $162,900 in 2021/22 new investment, which represents a 2% increase to the base and one-time funding of $8,144,379 received in 2020/21
- Wingham & District Hospital: – $280,200 in 2021/22 new investment, which represents a 2% increase to the base and one-time funding of $14,005,563 received in 2020/21
- Grey Bruce Health Services (includes hospitals in Southampton, Owen Sound, Lion’s Head, Markdale, Meaford, and Wiarton: – $4,708,500 in 2021/22 new investment, which represents a 3.2% increase to the estimated base and one-time funding of $147,446,418 received in 2020/21
“Our local hospitals and all their staff have done a fantastic job during the pandemic,” Thompson said. “They have risen to the challenges over these past 15 months and these investments will help ensure Ontario is supporting state of the art health care now and into the future.”
The 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, outlined a total of $1.8 billion in additional investments for hospitals in 2021-22. This includes an increase of $778 million in funding to meet current and future demands for services, and ensures all publicly funded hospitals will receive a minimum one per cent increase to help them keep pace with patient needs and to increase access to high-quality care for patients and families across Ontario.
“Ontario’s hospitals have been unwavering in their commitment to protect the health and wellbeing of Ontarians, and our government is committed to ensuring that they have the resources needed to continue responding to the pandemic and meet the ongoing needs of the communities they serve,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By increasing investments in hospitals province-wide, our government is helping to ensure that patients have access to the high-quality care they need, when and where they need it.”
The minister added that the Ontario government remains committed to supporting hospitals so that they can continue to provide the care Ontarians need and deserve, today and in the future. Additional support for Ontario’s hospitals as part of Ontario’s Action Plan includes $760 million to help hospitals continue to respond to COVID‑19 and an additional $300 million to reduce surgical backlogs.
