The province is investing an additional $4.4 million to support upgrades and repairs at four hospitals and community health facilities in Southwestern Ontario.
Four Counties Health Services, Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, Westover Treatment Centre, and Chatham-Kent Community Health Centers will receive the funding, according to a news release.
“(This) funding will ensure more people in Southwestern Ontario can receive the quality health-care services they need quickly, conveniently and close to home,” Monte McNaughton, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP, said in the release.
Ontario is providing $200 million to hospitals through the health infrastructure renewal fund and over $8.4 million to community health service providers through the community infrastructure renewal fund.
This money will allow health care providers to address urgent infrastructure renewal needs, such as upgrades or replacements of roofs, windows, security systems, fire alarms and backup generators.
At Four Counties Health Services, the funding will go toward a multi-year project to replace exhaust fan units to improve the hospital’s air quality and promote energy conservation. At Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, the funding is supporting the addition of two new chillers to support the building’s cooling system.
“Ensuring Ontario’s hospitals and community health facilities have the infrastructure in place to deliver the high-quality care patients expect and deserve is a priority for our government,” Sylvia Jones, deputy premier and minister of health, said in the release.
“This year’s increased funding will help these facilities address priority renewal needs while ensuring people can continue to receive the world-class care they need in a safe and comfortable environment.”
Community health facilities are publicly funded and provide a range of programs, including primary care, community mental health and addictions services, allied healthcare such as physical therapy and respiratory therapy, and public health services.
Funding allocations
Health care infrastructure renewal fund
- Four Counties Health Services: $264,957
- Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital: $3.7 million
Community infrastructure renewal fund
- Westover Treatment Centre: $364,431
- Chatham-Kent Community Health Centers: $103,505