Additional Investment of Over $1.7 Million to Modernize Health Care Infrastructure and Support to He

Kailie Oortwyn, Office of Laurie Scott, MPP

KAWARTHA LAKES: To help strengthen the financial stability of public hospitals, the Ontario government is providing Ross Memorial Hospital with $804,400 to help cover historic working funds deficits. The Ontario government is also investing $901,731 this year to support critical health care infrastructure upgrades, repairs and maintenance for Ross Memorial Hospital.

The funding to address working funds deficits is a part of the over $1.2 billion investment previously announced to help hospitals recover from financial pressures created and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic while ensuring they can continue providing the high-quality care Ontarians need and deserve. This funding will also help to ensure that Ontario’s hospitals are able to respond to any scenario as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.

Additionally, through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund, the government’s $182.6 million investment will ensure that patients can continue to access the care they need in safe, comfortable environments and that the local health care system is prepared to respond to any scenario as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.

“These crucial investments will help build capacity and ensure our hospitals have the tools they need,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “We will continue to support our local hospitals so they can continue to provide the high-quality care residents deserve within their own communities.”

“Ross Memorial Hospital is grateful for the support of the Ministry of Health in helping address our infrastructure needs. This funding will allow us to complete the replacement [of] our underground diesel tanks and installation of the new above-ground tank to align with current environmental best practices. Through our Pharmacy Clean Room project, we are able to support safe and effective medication delivery for our patients by meeting the required safety standards,” explained Kelly Isfan, Ross Memorial Hospital President and CEO.

“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,” stated 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.”

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 percent increase to help them keep pace with patient needs and to increase access to high-quality care for patients and families across Ontario.

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