MOHLTC - News Release - McGuinty Government Provides Grant for Burlington Hospital Renewal

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McGuinty Government Provides Grant for Burlington Hospital Renewal

Grant Supports Planning For Increased Patient Access At Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital

February 20, 2007

BURLINGTON – The McGuinty government is supporting the development of a plan to increase access to health care services in the Burlington area by helping Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital move forward with its expansion plans, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

“The McGuinty government is pleased to lend support to Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital to help increase timely access to health care for area residents,” said Smitherman.

The government is providing a $1.5 million grant to Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital to develop a proposal and business case for a Phase I capital project to construct a new three-storey east wing tower. The new tower would allow the hospital to offer more services such as diagnostic imaging and critical care and would help the hospital reduce wait times. This grant fulfills a commitment made by Health Minister George Smitherman during a recent visit to the hospital.

“We are extremely pleased and delighted with the government’s support for our redevelopment planning,” said Donald Scott, President and CEO of Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital. “This funding will help us develop an innovative solution to provide a much needed expansion of our high priority programs.”

This is just the latest example of how the McGuinty government is working to provide quality hospital care. Other initiatives include :

Investing more than $142 million in an Emergency Department Action Plan, which contains system-wide solutions to ensure emergency rooms stay open and increase capacity in the health care system to meet the needs of Ontario patients
Increasing operating grant funding to hospitals to $12.9 billion in 2006/07, growing to $14 billion in 2008/09
Reducing wait times for five key health care services (hip and knee joint replacement, cataract surgeries, MRI exams, cancer surgeries and cardiac procedures).

Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty government’s plan for innovation in public health care, 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 media :

David Spencer, 416-327-4320
Minister's Office

A.G. Klei , 416-314-6197
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Members of the general public :
1-866-532-3161



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