Hospitals receive funding to ensure facilities remain in a good state of repair

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Ontario Construction News staff writer

Hospitals in the Hanover, Durham, and Owen Sound are receiving more than $4.8 million for upgrades, repairs, and maintenance, part of Ontario’s 2020 $175 million investment to support hospitals across the province.

The funds are flowing through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF), Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker announced Monday when he visited hospitals throughout the region. The fund is being used to help modernize 131 hospitals across the province.

“These investments will help ensure that patients at our hospitals in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound can receive the care they need in a safe and comfortable setting,” said Walker.

“Seemingly small things like well-functioning roofs, windows or heating and air conditioning systems, fire alarms and back-up generators can make the world of difference to a patient’s experience. This funding will help ensure that hospitals across Ontario are able to make the needed upgrades and improvements, so patients and families have access to the reliable, quality care they expect and deserve.”

The investment, he continued, will ensure a safe and comfortable environment for patients to receive care. Hospitals receiving funding are:

  • Hanover and District Hospital is to receive $184,581
  • Grey Bruce Health Services, with hospitals in Lion’s Head, Markdale, Meaford, Owen Sound, Southampton and Wiarton) is receiving $2,831,982
  • South Bruce Grey Health Centre (SBGHC), with hospitals in Chesley, Durham, Kincardine and Walkerton, getting $1,823,598.

The province’s strategy of building a connected and sustainable public health care system centred around the needs of patients includes investing $27 billion over 10 years in hospital infrastructure projects, said Walker.

Hospital officials said the investment will serve the needs of patients and communities.

“This is the second consecutive year that SBGHC has received a significant capital investment from the (province) to ensure the infrastructure of our hospital sites can continue to meet the needs of the patients we serve,” said Michael Barrett, SBGHC President and CEO.

“SBGHC intends to use this funding on various projects at all four of our sites, with the largest project being the installation of a sprinkler system at our Durham site to meet the requirement for all hospitals to have full sprinkler systems by 2025.”

Many of the people who use hospital services aren’t familiar with the level of servicing these facilities need, said Gary Sims, President and CEO of Grey Bruce Health Services.

“Most people who come into the hospital will never see the boilers, the new roofs, the sprinkler system or the security systems, but these are critical items that allow our healthcare system to function safely. We could not deliver quality patient care without this dedicated fund for infrastructure renewal from the provincial government, and we are very grateful for this support.”

Hanover and District Hospital President and CEO Dana Howes said the funding is “integral to the maintenance of our hospital in order to provide high-quality care for” patients.

It’s the responsibility of hospitals to ensure their facilities remain in a good state of repair. The (HIRF) provides funds, on a priority basis, to bolster a hospital’s existing capital renewal program, and help address renewal needs. Hospitals may receive funds for eligible projects, regardless of their own ability to raise a local share of the project costs. There is no cost-sharing requirement, and 100 per cent of the funds can be used on a single project.

Quick facts about hospital funding:

  • Ontario is investing $175 million in repairs and upgrades to 131 hospitals this year through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund.
  • In addition, Ontario is investing $7.2 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.

 

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