May 4, 2006

MARKDALE - The McGuinty government is improving health care services for patients in Markdale and the surrounding area by supporting redevelopment plans for the Markdale hospital site of Grey Bruce Health Services, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

"Our government is committed to ensuring families in Markdale and the surrounding area have access to the very best health care services," Smitherman said. "This funding will enable Grey Bruce Health Services to move forward with this capital project to provide local residents with a state-of-art facility."

The government is providing Grey Bruce Health Services with a capital grant towards the planning and design of a new facility on a greenfield site in Markdale. The new facility will significantly increase the space for emergency and outpatient ambulatory services, diagnostic services and surgery. It will also allow the Markdale site of Grey Bruce Health Services to play a larger role as a convalescent site for patients in the surrounding area who have been discharged from the Owen Sound site.

Today's announcement builds on the McGuinty government's initiatives for rural Ontarians, including :

• Expanding access to doctors and nurses by creating 150 new family health teams across the province
• Recognizing the unique needs of rural schools with $230 million for school repairs, library books and transition programs
• Investing $19 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development Program

"This funding serves to reassure our community that our redevelopment project in Markdale will be a reality," said Pat Campbell, President and CEO of Grey Bruce Health Services. "We look forward to working further with the government and our health care partners as we proceed with this project."

Today's initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan for innovation in public health, building a system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

For further information :

Members of the general public : (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154

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