Thursday, March 31, 2016
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Ontario Investing $12 Billion to Build New and Improved Hospitals
2016 Budget Includes New Investments in Hospital Infrastructure
As part of the 2016 Budget, Ontario plans to invest $12 billion over 10 years in Ontario hospitals to continue building modern hospital infrastructure. The province is also providing $50 million in new annual funding to help hospitals keep their facilities in good repair.
These health care infrastructure investments are helping expand access to high-quality care so patients receive the care they need in a safe and healthy environment. Across the province, approximately 35 major hospital projects are under construction or in various stages of planning.
Examples of hospital projects being planned or already underway include:
- Mackenzie Health's new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital project
- A new Providence Care Hospital in Kingston
- The renovation of acute and long-term care beds at the Atikokan General Hospital
- An expansion and redevelopment at Cambridge Memorial Hospital.
Investing in health infrastructure is part of the government's plan to improve access to high-quality, reliable, specialized health care services and facilities for Ontarians, now and in the future.
Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history -- about $160 billion over 12 years, which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals. In 2015, the province announced support for more than 325 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life.
Quick Facts:
- Funding for Health Capital projects has increased from $350 million in 2003-04 to almost $1.2 billion in 2015-16.
- Hospital funding in Ontario has increased more than 50 per cent, from $11.3 billion in 2003-04 to $17.4 billion in 2016-17.
- The 2016-17 Budget also includes a $345 million increase in operating funding for hospitals.
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"Making these important investments in hospitals will ensure patients get the high-quality health care they need – when they need it. It is just one of the ways in which we are putting patients first, by improving the performance of our health care system while working to ensure it is sustainable to meet the future needs of Ontarians."
— Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
"Supporting strong public services that Ontarians rely on requires making strategic investments beyond the service itself. That’s why our 2016 Budget committed $12 billion over 10 years to capital grants to help communities across Ontario build new and improved hospitals so all Ontario families continue to receive quality health care. Making strategic investments in infrastructure projects such as these not only supports Ontario’s high-quality health care system, but also creates jobs and stimulates Ontario's economy."
— Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance
"Throughout Ontario, hospitals are often viewed as organizations that play an important role in local communities. Today’s announcement will allow for continued modernization of Ontario hospitals, ensuring that state-of-the-art facilities exist for all Ontarians. The Ontario Hospital Association applauds the government for its continued commitment to and investment in patient and client-centred care."
— Anthony Dale, President and CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association
"The recent announcement of an increased investment in health care in the 2016 Ontario budget will allow us to continue to provide state-of-the-art, high quality care to our patients and increase our capacity to respond to the growing demands on the health care system."
— Dr. Michael Apkon, President and CEO, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Media Contacts:
David Jensen
Communications and Marketing Division
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care
416-314-6197
media.moh@ontario.ca
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