Southlake Regional Health Centre is among 128 hospitals in the province benefiting from funding for upgrades, repairs and maintenance.
Southlake is receiving $71,470 to to replace sidewalk ramps at the hospital’s east main entrance and in the visitors parking lot, as well as to repair sidewalks and curbs.
“We thank the Ministry of Health for this additional funding. It enables us to continue to invest in our facility and provide a safe and comfortable environment for our patients and their families, as well as our staff," Rick Gowrie, vice-president, Capital, Facilities and Business Development, said in a statement to NewmarketToday.
“Replacing the existing sidewalk ramps at our east entrance and in our visitors parking lot will improve accessibility and safety for those who have to visit the hospital,” he added.
In total, the province is investing $175 million from the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund, Christine Elliott, deputy premier and minister of Health and Long-Term Care, said in a statement Monday.
"The health and safety of patients and families is a priority for our government," the Newmarket-Aurora MPP said. "That's why we must make the necessary investments in our hospitals now, to ensure our providers have the facilities they need to continue to provide excellent quality care to patients. This funding will help ensure hospitals across Ontario are able to make the needed upgrades, improvements and maintenance so patients and families have access to reliable, quality care they expect and deserve."
Hospitals will use the funding to address urgent issues, including upgrades or replacements of roofs, windows, heating and air conditioning systems, fire alarms and back-up generators.
The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, where Elliott made Monday's announcement, will receive more than $1.9 million to repair its facility, including modernizing the elevators.
