Ontario’s Government for the People Taking Immediate Action with Health Infrastructure Investments in West Niagara

The Voice of Canada News:

Ontario’s Government for the People is supporting infrastructure investments that will ensure patients and families have access to the health care they need in West Niagara.

Premier Doug Ford, accompanied by Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Monte McNaughton, Minister of Infrastructure, and Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, were at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital today to announce the government’s intention to rebuild the site. To begin this work, the Premier announced a $500,000 grant to fund early planning.

“I’m here today to commit to the good people in West Niagara: we’re going to build you the hospital you need. You’ve got the best front line health care staff — the nurses, the doctors, the support workers here in Niagara — they are all fantastic. But you need a facility that helps you do your job the best you can,” said Ford. “Today’s announcement is another step in our commitment to end hallway medicine and deliver excellent front line health care to the people of Ontario.”

“The health and safety of patients across Ontario is a key priority for our government,” said Elliott. “That is why I am proud to announce important investments in health infrastructure like West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, so the people of Grimsby and the surrounding area have access to the high quality and reliable health care they deserve, close to home.”

“We need to ensure we are investing in the right infrastructure, at the right time and in the right place,” said McNaughton. “And this is most certainly the right time and place for this investment.”

In addition to the planning grant, the Premier also confirmed that despite media reports, surgical and obstetric services will not be removed from the hospital for over two years in the new year. The government is also investing $8.5 million to support immediate infrastructure improvements while the early planning work for the redevelopment of the hospital is undertaken.

QUICK FACTS

On average each year, more than 25,000 individuals visit the emergency department at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, and over 2,900 are admitted to the hospital. Approximately 1,000 babies are born every year at the hospital.

The $8.5M upgrades expected to begin in December 2018 involve the hospital’s elevator, emergency generator, fire alarm system, nurse call systems, cooling and heating, plumbing and electrical systems and replacement of flooring tiles and selected cabinets and casework.

Ontario is investing an additional $90 million in 2018-19 to build 1,100 beds and spaces in hospitals, including more than 640 new beds and spaces to prepare for the flu season.

Ontario is investing more than $300 million to support the addition of 6,000 new long-term care beds — the first wave of more than 15,000 new long-term care beds over the next five years.