Monday, July 20, 2015
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Ontario Investing $7 Million in Small Hospitals Across the Province
Ontario is investing more than $7 million in small hospitals, including many rural hospitals, to improve patient care close to home.
This funding will help more than 50 hospitals across Ontario improve care for patients through measures such as:
- Reducing wait times
- Providing staff with additional clinical education
- Expanding programs in partnership with community organizations.
Today, Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, was at the Campbellford Memorial Hospital in Northumberland County to announce this funding. The minister also marked the opening of the new Hastings Field House, which, beginning August 30th, will offer a six-month program for people with vascular disease, including those who have suffered a heart attack or stroke. The Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention will include education, self-management training and exercise for people with vascular disease.
Investing in small hospitals across Ontario is part of the government's plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care, which provides patients with faster access to the right care; better home and community care; the information they need to live healthy; and a health care system that is sustainable for generations to come.
Quick Facts:
- Fifty-six small hospitals in Ontario will receive an increase to their base funding.
- Ontario has also created a Small and Rural Hospital Transformation Fund, which fosters innovation and encourages collaboration among small and rural hospital and community care providers, so they can operate as integrated networks.
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"Hospitals play a particularly important role in small communities, as providers of care, as employers and as corporate citizens. This additional funding will ensure that local hospitals can continue to put patients first by enabling access to care that is close to home."
— Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
"While touring rural communities across Ontario, I’ve heard from municipal leaders, healthcare advocates and community members that investing in hospitals is a top priority. Our government is committed to continuing to build One Ontario, ensuring our hospitals have the capacity to deliver high quality care to patients regardless of where they live."
— Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
"This funding announcement today continues to confirm the importance of Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) to the patients and their families who use this hospital every day. Rural health care is a key priority for our Government and I am pleased to see CMH receiving funds that help them deliver services right here in Trent Hills."
— Lou Rinaldi, MPP, Northumberland-Quinte West
"At Campbellford Memorial Hospital, we strive to be a recognized leader in rural health care. As a rural health hub, we are creating new opportunities to collaborate with our community partners to enhance quality of care and improve access to the growing community we serve together. We value and appreciate this additional funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care as it could be used to reduce wait times for arthroscopic procedures, enhance care by providing staff with additional clinical education, and expand the integrated palliative care program in partnership with community organizations,” Brad Hilker, President and CEO, Campbellford Memorial Hospital."
— Brad Hilker, President and CEO, Campbellford Memorial Hospital
Media Contacts:
David Jensen
Communications and Marketing Division
416-314-6197
media.moh@ontario.ca
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