Modernizing Health Care Infrastructure to Support Safe and High-Quality Care for Patients
NEWS — The Ontario government is investing $1,910,260.00 this year to support critical health care infrastructure upgrades, repairs and maintenance in Brantford and Brant. This funding is part of the government’s $182.6 million investment provided through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund. It 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.
Investments include:
- Brant Community Healthcare System will receive $1,869,100.00
- Leonard’s Community Services Inc. will receive $41,160.00
“I am happy to announce this additional funding for the Brant Community Healthcare System and St. Leonard’s Community Services to support critical upgrades, maintenance and COVID-19 related expenses that these two organizations need” said Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma. “Safe and comfortable heath care settings are a critical component of Ontario’s service delivery system and I am happy to be part of a government that prioritizes such investments”.
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.”
“This $1.9M Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund investment will enable the Brant Community Healthcare System to carry important and needed infrastructure improvements at the both the Brantford General and Willet Hospital sites”, said David McNeil, CEO Brant Community Healthcare System. “We are so appreciative of this investment from the Government of Ontario and the continued leadership of our MPP Will Bouma”.
“St. Leonard’s Community Services is very pleased to receive this funding for much needed upgrades and replacement of key mechanical and structural components of our existing locations”, said Brad Stark, Executive Director of St. Leonard’s Community Services. “Without these funds directed towards infrastructure projects, our Agency would be required to use operational dollars to address these issues which would unfortunately reduce our ability to serve clients. The Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund is a fantastic avenue for agencies such as ourselves to keep aging properties in good repair for the safety of our clients and staff.”
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.
QUICK FACTS
- 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.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Ontario Supporting Hospitals with Additional Funding During COVID-19
- Improving Health Care in Ontario
- Hallway Health Care: A System Under Strain
- Visit Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine web page to view the latest provincial data and information on COVID-19 vaccines.
- Visit Ontario’s COVID-19 information website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from the virus.
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For more information, contact MPP Will Bouma at 519-759-0361 or will.bouma@pc.ola.org