The provincial government has announced funding aimed at improving access to care in Wellington County, helping to reduce wait times and supporting increased access to services that patients and families rely on.
Guelph MPP Liz Sandals Guelph, announced on Nov. 25 there will be increased funding of $174,100 for Groves Memorial Community Hospital and $156,500 for North Wellington Health Care Corporation this year to improve access to care and reduce the length of hospital stays for patients and families in Wellington County.
Sandals also announced Guelph General Hospital is receiving $656,400 more and St. Joseph’s Health Centre is receiving $105,200 more.
Recently announced in the 2016 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, the funding ensures that all public hospitals in Ontario have received, at a minimum, a 2 per cent increase to their base funding this year.
Additional funding has been provided to hospitals to support population growth and changing health care needs in their communities.
“I am very pleased that our government is making investments in Groves Memorial Community Hospital and North Wellington Health Care Corporation to help these facilities to continue to provide high quality health services to our community. This new investment will help to reduce wait times and to support increased access to the services that the citizens of Wellington County need,” stated Sandals.
“In recent years, hospitals have become more efficient while improving patient care, even as they face increased demand for services. Through this additional investment, our government is committed to ensuring hospitals maintain a high level of care to address the increased health care needs of a growing and aging population,” said miniser of health and long-term care Dr. Eric Hoskins.
“The resources made available … will help ensure continued access to high quality health services in communities across Ontario,” said Ontario Hospital Association president and CEO Dale Andrews.
“Local clinicians, staff and volunteers are doing an exceptional job on the front-line caring for residents. Because of them, we’ve seen significant improvements in the quality and efficiency of care. Our hospitals continue to see more patients with more complex care needs. This additional funding will support our hospitals in reducing wait times and improving flow through the health care system,”said Waterloo Wellington LHIN CEO Bruce Lauckner,
“Each year demand for health services increase as our populations age,” said North Wellington Health Care and Groves CEO Stephen Street.
“Responding to these pressures requires innovative leadership to work with all partners and stakeholders that make up our healthcare system.
“We are pleased that the ministry continues to be a great partner in maintaining services to support our growing population. The funding announcement today will help us continue to offer care close to home for residents in Centre and north Wellington.”
While pleased to see local hospitals getting additional funding, Wellington-Halton MPP Ted Arnott said the new funding may not be enough to significantly reduce wait times or increase access to patient services.
“While we’re all glad to see this modest increase in hospital base funding, I’m not satisfied that a 2% increase is sufficient to address the needs of our patients in the province,” Arnott stated in a press release.
