Moving forward with new hospital project for James Bay region
By Corinne Lynds
Infrastructure hospital James BayAs part of the 2017 Budget, Ontario plans to provide $9 billion in capital grants to support the construction of new hospital projects across the province. This will bring Ontario’s total planned investment in hospital infrastructure to more than $20 billion over the next 10 years.
Premier Kathleen Wynne was at the Weeneebayko General Hospital May 25 to announce that Ontario will be providing the provincial share of the costs for the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority replacement hospital.
Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
“Our government is committed to working together with First Nations partners to improve access to care that is high quality, culturally appropriate and puts decision-making power in the hands of the community. We will continue to work together to address the challenges faced by northern communities, and First Nations in particular,” said Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
This project is one of five newly approved major hospital projects across the province.
These new investments will allow hospitals to renovate existing facilities and build new ones, addressing a growing demand for health care services and a need for innovative models of care. Essential improvements and expansions could include emergency rooms, surgical facilities and patient spaces across the province, from big cities to remote communities.
The province is committing to several new priority major hospital projects that will give patients access to the right care, in the right place, at the right time. These projects will also ensure that Ontario’s health system remains sustainable into the future.
Additional approved major hospital projects include:
- Trillium Health Partners – Broader Redevelopment Project
- Niagara Health System – New South Niagara Capital Project
- Windsor Regional Health Centre – New Greenfield Hospital Project
- Hamilton Health Sciences – Hamilton Redevelopment Project
Investing in hospital construction is part of Ontario’s Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care, which is increasing access to the right care, reducing wait times and improving the patient experience — protecting health care for today and the future.
Quick Facts
- Across the province, about 34 major hospital projects are either under construction or in planning.
- Hospital operating funding in Ontario has increased by more than 58 per cent, from $11.3 billion in 2003-04 to $18 billion in 2017-18.
- In the 2014 Budget, the province committed to invest approximately $300 million in additional funding for health infrastructure in the community sector over the next 10 years.
- Since 2013, the province has more than tripled its annual investment in health infrastructure renewal funding, from $56 million to $175 million.
