Three southwestern Ontario hospital networks are getting an extra $5.7 million from the province to help reduce wait times and improve care.
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton announced the additional funds Tuesday for Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, Four Counties Health Services, and Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
“Community hospitals are the bedrock of southwestern Ontario,” said McNaughton. “From emergency rooms to surgeries and mental health support, this investment will ensure families have access to fast and reliable healthcare, where and when they need it."
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance will receive the biggest chunk of the new funds with $4,180,300 going to boost its hospital operations. Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital is slated to get $1,140,200, while Four Counties Health Services is to receive $201,000.
"Chatham-Kent Health Alliance welcomes this latest funding announcement, providing for the sustainability of core services at the hospital’s Chatham and Wallaceburg sites,” said Lori Marshall, the alliance's president and CEO. “This support ensures we can continue the delivery of safe, high quality core services for patients and their families.”
The funding will be used for a variety of services at the hospitals including emergency department services, trauma, pediatrics, medicine, obstetrics, cancer care, and hospital-based mental health service, according to the province.
The Ontario government has committed to boosting hospital funding across the province by a minimum of two per cent this year.
