(Queen's Park) - Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop announced today that Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital will receive $246,800 from the Ernie Eves government to address inpatient surgical backlogs caused by the impact of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

"I commend the staff and front-line health care workers at Soldiers' Memorial for taking the necessary precautions to prevent the occurrence of even one case of SARS in our community," said Dunlop. "This new funding will cover the cost of 150 average surgical cases."

The one-time funding is part of the $25 million announced by Premier Eves on April 24 to help Greater Toronto Area hospitals address surgical backlogs caused by SARS. It was allocated based on hospitals' clinical activity monitoring reports. Of the $25 million total, $12 million is yet to be allocated.

On May 28, Premier Eves announced an additional $720 million that will benefit health care workers, facilities and emergency services affected by SARS. This funding includes:

·Up to $400 million for exceptional SARS-related costs across the health care system. This funding will benefit hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulance services, public health and Community Care Access Centres. Costs to be covered will range from special supplies and equipment, to specialized clinics and isolation rooms.
·Up to $190 million to reimburse eligible health care employees and physicians for income lost due to SARS.
·Approximately $120 million invested annually on strengthening infectious disease tracking systems in the public health system, rapid response teams for outbreaks, and a community awareness program on infectious disease.
·Approximately $10 million to cover up to 100 percent of extraordinary costs incurred by GTA municipalities and Simcoe County as a direct result of SARS. Eligible costs will include emergency medical services, emergency operations centres and staff overtime.

Contacts:
Garfield Dunlop
(705) 327-4500 (cell)

Julie Kwiecinski
(416) 325-6176