 |  | | | | News Release July 11, 2017 Province Investing in Renewed Facilities to Deliver High-Quality Health Care Ontario is continuing to strengthen and support hospitals across the province with repairs and upgrades to 131 hospitals this year, to provide patients with high-quality care in a safe and healthy environment. Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, was joined by Ann Hoggarth, MPP for Barrie, today at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, which will receive over $2.3 million this year to revitalize its facilities. Funding from the province allows hospitals to make critical improvements to their facilities, including upgrades or replacements to roofs, windows, heating and air conditioning systems, fire alarms and back-up generators. The 2017 balanced Budget includes a new $7-billion booster shot to health care, building on the commitment made in the 2016 Budget. This investment will improve access to care, expand mental health and addiction services, and enhance the experience and recovery of patients. Ontario is increasing access to care, reducing wait times and improving the patient experience through its Patients First Action Plan for Health Care and OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare - protecting health care today and into the future. | QUICK FACTS - The province is investing $175 million in repairs and upgrades to hospitals this year through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF).
- HIRF investments in other hospitals in the area include: more than $85,000 for Collingwood General and Marine Hospital; more than $570,000 for Georgian Bay General Hospital; more than $1.2 million for Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare; $2.6 million for Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre; and more than $680,000 for Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.
- HIRF was established in 1999 to assist hospitals in renewing their facilities.
- As part of the 2017 Budget, Ontario is also spending an additional $9 billion to support the construction of new hospital projects across the province. This brings Ontario's total planned investment in hospital infrastructure to more than $20 billion over the next 10 years.
- The government's investment of more than $190 billion over the 13-year period starting in 2014–15 is the largest infrastructure investment in the province's history. It is helping to build new child care spaces, schools, hospitals, public transit, highways and roads.
| QUOTES "These repairs and upgrades are crucial to ensuring all patients get the help they need now and in the future. By upgrading our hospitals' infrastructure, we are helping Ontarians get the best health care close to home."
— Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
"As our communities continue to grow, these much needed investments will help our hospitals continue to deliver high quality care to the region. They are another example of ways in which our government is putting patients first."
— Ann Hoggarth, MPP for Barrie
"Hospitals appreciate the support of the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund for maintaining buildings and systems essential to high-quality care. These investments can be very difficult for hospitals to fund locally. OSMH particularly appreciates the support over the last few years as it has enabled us to address some longstanding issues that have arisen from our history of being built as a series of wings over the past century."
— Pat Campbell, President and CEO, Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital
"On behalf of Ontario hospitals, I'd like to thank the Ontario government for recognizing the need for this vital investment. Given the continued capacity pressure facing hospitals as a result of a growing and aging population, ongoing investment in equipment upgrades and building repairs is needed to extend the life of all hospital facilities to maintain access to frontline services."
— Anthony Dale, President and CEO, Ontario Hospital Association
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