BRANTFORD — The Ontario government is investing $175 million to address critical upgrades, repairs, and maintenance in 129 hospitals across the province, including $50 million for COVID-19 related and other urgent projects. Through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund, this funding will help hospitals maintain their infrastructure and ensure a safe and comfortable environment for patients to receive care.
In Brantford, the Brant Community Healthcare System will receive $2,575,442 for 2020 and 2021 through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund. This funding will support a combination of general funds for infrastructure improvements and specific projects.
“Maintaining hospital infrastructure is another example of how our government is ensuring that Ontarians have access to health care services they can depend on, especially during these unprecedented times,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Our ongoing investments to support essential projects like repairing roofs and windows and adding more isolation spaces can make a big difference to a patient’s experience. It’s part of our plan to build the capacity we need to end hallway health care in Ontario.”
The funding will help hospitals address urgent issues such as upgrades or replacement of roofs, windows, security systems, backup generators and fire alarms. Projects will also support the hospitals in their ongoing response to COVID-19, such as updating HVAC systems to enhance patient and staff safety, creating additional isolation space and negative air pressure flow rooms to increase capacity and enhancing infection prevention and control measures.
“Hospital infrastructure is a top priority for this government and is an integral part of getting the region as well as the entire Province through this pandemic”, said Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma. “The community can always count on my advocacy, support and dedication to the Brant Community Healthcare System”.
“The Brant Community Healthcare System is appreciative of the Government’s investment in our local healthcare system”, said Dr. David McNeil, President and CEO of the Brant Community Healthcare System. “This is an important investment that will allow BCHS to undertake important improvements and upgrades to its existing building infrastructure. I would like to thank MPP Will Bouma for his continued support of the Brant Community Healthcare System and the people of Brantford and Brant County.”
