District Healthcare Facilities Receiving Provincial Funding
Investment Will Help 5 Healthcare Facilities Continue to Provide High-Quality Care
Ontario is providing $175 million in 2016–17 to hospitals across the province — an increase of $50 million over last year’s funding — to keep them in a state of good repair so patients can continue to receive high-quality care in a safe and healthy environment.
MPP Michael Gravelle, Thunder Bay-Superior North
“I’m delighted with today’s Health Care Infrastructure Fund announcement of over $700,000 in funding to Thunder Bay and the regional health care facilities. The funding will help the top-notch healthcare institutions of the area, as well as their devoted staff, continue to provide quality services to the good people of Thunder Bay. Investments like these are helping to build up the North.” Michael Gravelle, MPP Thunder Bay – Superior North
In the Thunder Bay District, 5 healthcare facilities will receive more than $700,000 this year through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF). These investments include:
- $79,661 for the North of Superior Healthcare Group (formerly Wilson Memorial & McCausland Hospitals)
- $207,554 for the Geraldton District Hospital
- $37,125 for the Nipigon District Memorial Hospital
- $32,797 for the Atikokan General Hospital
- $345,652 for the St. Joseph’s Care Group
The government increased funding for hospital renewal from $56 million in 2013–14 to $125 million in each of the following two years. This year, the province will provide an additional $50 million in funding to help address the critical need for hospital repairs across the province. Across Ontario, 135 hospitals will receive HIRF funding to support crucial infrastructure projects to extend the useful life or improve the quality of their facilities. Projects may include upgrades or replacements to roofs, windows, HVAC systems, fire alarms and back-up generators.
“Today’s Health Care Infrastructure Fund announcement is good news for Thunder Bay and our regional municipalities. I am pleased with our Province’s continued commitment to ensure our hospital facilities remain current and sustainable. The physical plants of our hospitals play a role in the overall wellness of patients and are also important in creating a positive work environment for hospital staff. Our hospitals are critical to the health and well- being of our constituents and at the same time play a key role in our regional economies.” Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay – Atikokan
Ontario also plans to invest $12 billion over 10 years in capital grants to hospitals to build modern infrastructure. About 35 major hospital projects are now underway across the province. Ontario is also increasing province wide funding to hospitals this year by more than $345 million. This is part of a total investment of $51.8 billion in health care — a 2 per cent increase over last year.
“With this new and important funding, we are working to ensure that we are building a health care system that delivers faster access today and a sustainable system that will be there for Ontario patients in the future. Making these necessary investments is part of our commitment to put patients first by ensuring that they get the high-quality health care they need — when they need it.” Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Increased investment in health care is part of the government’s plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care. This plan provides patients with faster access to the right care, better home and community care, the information they need to live healthy and a health care system that is sustainable for generations to come.
QUICK FACTS
- HIRF allocations are determined using evidence to support proportional renewal needs across Ontario, and to address emerging needs and exceptional circumstances.
- Ontario’s health care budget has increased from $47.6 billion in 2012–2013 to a total of $51.8 billion in 2016–17.
- From 2010 to 2014, the number of physicians in Toronto increased from 7,684 to 8,398 — a 9 per cent increase.
- In the same period, the number of nurses in Toronto increased from 29,318 to 33,459 — a 14 per cent increase — and the number of nurses within the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network increased from 19,977 to 22,770 — also a 14 per cent increase.
