NEWS RELEASE
MPP JILL DUNLOP
*************************
The Ontario government is investing $175 million this year to address critical upgrades, repairs and maintenance in 129 hospitals across the province, including $50 million for COVID-19 related and other urgent projects.
Through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund, this funding will help hospitals maintain their infrastructure and ensure a safe and comfortable environment for patients to receive care.
In Simcoe North, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health will receive $355,585, Georgian Bay General Hospital will receive $1,799,888, and Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital will receive $2,699,353 for 2020 and 2021 through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund.
This funding will support hospitals in three priority areas: health and safety, code compliance, and maintaining integrity of assets at risk of immanent breakdown. These projects can include upgrades, repairs and maintenance projects. Each hospital will decide where to invest the money and will allow them to proceed quickly with these projects.
“Maintaining hospital infrastructure is another example of how our government is ensuring that Ontarians have access to health care services they can depend on, especially during these unprecedented times,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “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. It’s part of our plan to build the capacity we need to end hallway health care in Ontario.”
As the government continues to work toward bringing Ontario's world class health care system into the 21st century, this funding will help hospitals address urgent issues such as upgrades or replacement of roofs, windows, security systems, backup generators and fire alarms.
Projects will also support the hospitals in their ongoing response to COVID-19, such as updating HVAC systems to enhance patient and staff safety, creating additional isolation space and negative air pressure flow rooms to increase capacity and enhancing infection prevention and control measures.
“This vital funding will help our hospitals maintain their infrastructure and ensure a safe and comfortable environment for hospital staff and patients,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North.
“Maintaining hospital infrastructure is another example of how the government is ensuring members of our communities have access to health care services they can depend on, especially during these unprecedented times," said Dunlop. "The investment strengthens the hospitals abilities to continue to serve on the critical front line of the battle against COVID-19.”
“With a building the age of GBGH, built more than 44 years ago, we are continually evaluating the infrastructure in need of most urgent repair,” says Gail Hunt, President and CEO, GBGH. “Due to this generous HIRF contribution from the Ministry of Health, GBGH will be able to replace our chiller and cooling tower. These are essential pieces of the hospital’s cooling system for maintaining comfortable temperatures for our patients’ and staff, as well as managing safe humidity levels for sterilized spaces and medical devices throughout our facility.”
Waypoint officials were also thankful for the funding.
“With aging infrastructure, the HIRF investment allows us to make a significant upgrade to the patient experience by creating a safer, more comfortable environment,” says Carol Lambie, Waypoint president and CEO. “These funds will be used to make modifications to our heating and building automating systems to improve comfort and energy efficiency, and to install new flooring to create a more modern and welcoming patient care area.”
QUICK FACTS
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.
*************************
