Supporting Hospital Infrastructure Projects to Ensure a Safe Environment for Patients
Media release from Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff
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 investment will help hospitals maintain their infrastructure and ensure a safe and comfortable environment for patients to receive care.
In Niagara, Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre will receive $1,461,959 and Niagara Health will receive $1,454,532 for 2020 and 2021 through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund. This funding will support important infrastructure supports and upgrades for both health care providers.
"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 important funding builds on our government's support for patients and providers in Niagara, including the announcement of the Niagara Ontario Health Team – Équipe Santé Ontario Niagara in July," said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
"The COVID-19 outbreak has shown how important it is to maintain and upgrade our local hospitals."
"Our staff, physicians and volunteers maintain an exceptional facility despite infrastructure challenges," said Lyne Pay, CEO of Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre.
"We are pleased, with this investment, that the government is recognizing the integral role rehabilitation serves in reducing hallway healthcare – helping to keep residents out of emergency departments or long term care by rebuilding their independence and quality of life. This infrastructure funding will greatly support the exemplary work of our staff and physicians in providing the positive patient outcomes we’re known for across Niagara."
"These investments for facility upgrades and improvements are most welcome and will make a difference for patients and families who receive care at Niagara Health," said Lynn Guerriero, President of Niagara Health.
"It is important that our buildings continue to support the high-quality care that our teams are providing, and we are grateful to the Ministry of Health for this investment in Niagara Health’s infrastructure. In these unprecedented times, we are also working diligently to improve access to healthcare services outside of the hospital setting through technology and virtual care, so all patients receive the right care in the right place."
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.
Additional Resources
- Improving Health Care in Ontario
- Hallway Health Care: A System Under Strain
- Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from COVID-19.
