NORTH SIMCOE HOSPITAL
ALLIANCE
ALLIANCE DES HôPITAUX
DE SIMCOE NORD
$2 MILLION TO BE INVESTED IN ENHANCED
SERVICES AT LOCAL HOSPITALS
May 23, 2003
MIDLAND/PENETANGUISHENE – Simcoe North
MPP Garfield Dunlop, Penetanguishene General Hospital
(PGH) Board Chair David Webster, Huronia District
Hospital (HDH) Board Chair Roger Robitaille and
Huronia Hospitals Foundation President John Gignac
today launched the first phase of enhanced dialysis
and ambulatory care services for North Simcoe's
hospital patients, thanks to the approval of almost
$1 million in provincial funding.
Mr. Dunlop announced that Health and Long-Term
Care Minister Tony Clement has approved capital
funding to consolidate ambulatory care services
in a vacant wing at HDH. The provincial government
will invest $442,272 in the new ambulatory care
centre and $490,317 for the permanent dialysis
unit. Once ambulatory services are moved from
PGH, construction of the permanent dialysis unit
can begin.
"With today's announcement, I have now delivered
the great news this month of over $41 million
in capital funding investments by the Eves government
for our three local hospitals," said Mr.
Dunlop. "This major commitment means the
efforts of Exilda Robitaille, dialysis volunteers
and patients, the Huronia Hospitals Foundation
and everyone else who has supported these projects
will be put into action. The projects will result
in a much larger and comfortable dialysis unit,
and a new state-of-the-art ambulatory care facility
for the thousands of patients who use these services
each year."
Mr. Dunlop and the hospital representatives were
joined by North Simcoe Hospital Alliance staff
and board representatives, Mrs. Robitaille and
dialysis patients in celebrating the hospitals
going to tender to seek contractors to bid on
the projects.
"The Huronia Hospitals Foundation has raised
almost $600,000 for these projects because of
the work by Exilda and the dialysis volunteers,
and the outstanding support of our community,"
said Mr. Gignac. "The new dialysis unit will
be able to provide life-saving service for more
patients and be a major improvement for the current
patients and staff who have been crowded into
the temporary space. Also, thousands of people
who need out-patient clinics, day procedures,
blood transfusions, stress tests and other ambulatory
care services each year will receive all services
in one location at the new facility at HDH."
The provincial government's commitment to both
projects represents 50 per cent of the capital
costs. Additional funding will be requested from
the County of Simcoe, but the Huronia Hospitals
Foundation still expects to provide at least $800,000
in community donations and fundraising for the
projects.
"We are continuing to build on our successful
dialysis campaign during the next six months,"
said Mr. Gignac. "Our communities took the
need for dialysis services in North Simcoe to
heart and made these projects happen. This is
an excellent example of how capital improvement
to the hospitals can only be done with the community's
on-going support."
Hospital board representatives also congratulated
Mr. Dunlop, Exilda and everyone involved in the
local effort to bring dialysis services to North
Simcoe at Friday?s launch.
"Today marks another major milestone for
the North Simcoe Hospital Alliance," noted
Mr. Robitaille and Mr. Webster. "Major improvements
will be made to both hospitals that will enhance
the quality care our excellent staff and physicians
already provide. These combined projects will
make a difference to everyone in our communities."
Media Contact:
Laurene Sibley
Director of Development
526-1300 ext. 3138
sibleyl@nsha.on.ca
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