The Ontario government is investing close to $6.5 million this year to support critical health care infrastructure upgrades, repairs and maintenance in hospitals serving Huron-Bruce residents.
“These funds are greatly needed by our hospitals to help them continue providing excellent health care to our residents,” said Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson. “While it is not an area often noticed by the general public, repairing and upgrading hospital infrastructure is vital to the overall health care system.Investments include:
Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund
· South Huron Hospital will receive $1,160,098
· Wingham and District Hospital will receive $704, 335
· Alexandra Marine and General Hospital will receive $433,395
· Seaforth Community Hospital will receive $410,296
· Clinton Public Hospital will receive $407,407
· Grey Bruce Health Services will receive $1,986, 129 (includes Southampton hospital)
· South Bruce Grey Health Centre will receive $1,376,429
The Ontario government is also investing $20,788 to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Grey Bruce Branch.
The government is providing $175 million to hospitals through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and $7.6 million to community health service providers through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund. Funding from the province allows its health care system partners to address urgent infrastructure renewal needs such as upgrades or replacements of roofs, windows, security systems, fire alarms and back-up generators.
A total of $50 million from the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund will be used by hospitals for urgent projects, including those that support the health system response to COVID-19, such as upgrading HVAC systems to enhance patient and staff safety, and improving infection prevention and control measures.
“Upgrading and maintaining hospitals and community health infrastructure is one more way our government is ensuring Ontarians receive the exceptional care when they need it and closer to home,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “These crucial investments will help build the capacity needed to end hallway health care, while ensuring our hospitals have the tools they need to improve the quality of care for patients and continue responding to COVID-19.”
The government continues to make record investments to support world-class hospitals across the province and ensure the health care system is prepared to respond to any scenario. In March 2021, the government committed up to $696.6 million in funding to help cover historic working funds deficits and strengthen the financial stability of hospitals across the province.
Through the 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, the government is providing a total of $1.8 billion in additional investments to hospitals in 2021-22. This includes funding to create more than 3,100 additional hospital beds to increase capacity, as well as an increase of $778 million in operational funding to ensure all publicly funded hospitals will receive a minimum 1 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.
· Community health facilities are publicly funded and provide a range of programs to patients across the province, including primary care, community mental health and addictions services, allied health care such as physical therapy and respiratory therapy, and programs and services delivered by a public health unit.
· The government is providing $175 million to hospitals through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and $7.6 million to community health service providers through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund.
· For 2021-22, Ontario has increased the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund by three per cent.
· The government is investing more than $22 billion in capital grants over the next 10 years for health infrastructure projects across Ontario that will lead to $30 billion in health infrastructure.
