Province Makes Significant Investment in Huron – Bruce Health Care
Helping people access care they need, closer to home
HURON – BRUCE – Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron – Bruce is pleased to announce that through the Ontario Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund, $7,748,621 in support for critical upgrades, repairs and maintenance for local hospitals.
“With this significant investment our government is committed to helping patients get the care they need, close to home,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron – Bruce. “Investing in critical infrastructure and expanding access to diagnostic care is critical in rural Ontario where so many have to travel long distances to receive these services.”
As part of this investment the following organizations in or near the riding of Huron – Bruce will receive funding:
- Alexandra Marine and General Hospital: $133,552
- Clinton Public Hospital: $516,055
- Grey Bruce Health Services: $1,808,269
- Hanover and District Hospital: $592,926
- Seaforth Community Hospital: $728,183
- South Bruce Grey Health Centre: $692,042
- South Huron Hospital: $2,602,808
- Wingham and District Hospital: $674,786
In addition to the Health Infrastructure Renewal Funds, Thompson also announced today in Wingham, Goderich and Kincardine that their respective organization’s applications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines were approved. This funding will provide the three local Huron – Bruce hospitals with annual operating funding that will result in more convenient access to diagnostic imaging, eliminating the need to travel out of county to receive an MRI.
“Our government is ensuring hospitals across the province have the funds they need to operate their new MRI machines and increase access to diagnostic imaging for people in their communities,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “For some communities, this funding means they will have their first-ever MRI machine and residents will have more convenient access to care closer to home.”
This funding is part of the government’s investment of over $20 million to support the operations of 27 new MRI machines in hospitals across Ontario. With more MRI services throughout the province, patients can be diagnosed faster and if needed, begin treatment and follow-up care even sooner.
QUICK FACTS
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to take detailed pictures of organs and tissues in the body. MRIs are used to diagnose many health problems, including brain injuries, heart disease and various tumours and cancers.
- This funding brings the total investment in operational funding for new MRI machines to $40 million, increasing the government’s 2021-22 commitment to invest $30 million by an additional $10 million to help hospitals increase MRI capacity and services. In total, the province is providing operational funding for 49 new MRI machines in 42 hospitals across the province.
- As part of its Plan to Stay Open: Health System Stability and Recovery, through the Surgical Recovery Strategy, the government is adding more than 150,000 one-time additional operating hours in 2022-23 for hospital-based MRI and CT machines, ensuring better and more equitable access to diagnostic imaging services.
- The Ontario government is investing over $300 million in 2022/23 as part of the province’s surgical recovery strategy, bringing the total investment to approximately $880 million over the last three fiscal years.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
MEDIA CONTACT
Jack Sullivan, Director of Issues, Media Relations & Strategy
jack.sullivan@ontario.ca