To help strengthen the financial stability of public hospitals across the province, the Ontario government is providing up to $696.6 million this year to help cover historic working funds deficits of qualifying hospitals, with a focus on small, medium as well as specialty and rehabilitation hospitals. This includes $714,900 for Campbellford Memorial Hospital.
“Ontario’s hospitals have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and our government is using every tool at our disposal to support them,” said MPP David Piccini. “This funding recognizes that our small, medium sized hospitals have faced ongoing and unique financial challenges that have been compounded through these unprecedented times. The Government of Ontario will continue to work with our hospital partners to ensure they have the financial support they need now and into the future.”
This funding is a part of the over $1.2 billion investment previously announced to help hospitals recover from financial pressures created and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, while ensuring they can continue providing the high-quality care Ontarians need and deserve.
“Campbellford Memorial Hospital is grateful to the unwavering support of MPP Piccini and the Ministry in releasing these funds,” said Dr. Bruce Bain, Chief of Staff, Acting President & CEO, Campbellford Memorial Hospital. “The hospital will utilize them to address current working capital pressures.”
Many Ontario hospitals are struggling with annual funding deficits which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. To ensure Ontario’s hospitals remain on stable financial footing at a critical time, the government is allocating this funding to help cover historic working funds deficits for qualifying public hospitals
Additionally, the Ontario government is investing $834,141 this year to support critical health care infrastructure upgrades, repairs and maintenance at Campbellford Memorial Hospital. This funding is part of the government’s $182.6 million investment provided through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund.
“Creating a better physical environment for patients is critical to their recovery and care experience,” said MPP David Piccini. “This funding will ensure that patients can continue to access the care they need in safe, comfortable environments. These crucial investments will help build the capacity needed to end hallway health care, while ensuring our hospitals have the tools they need to improve the quality of care for patients.”
The government is providing $175 million to hospitals through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and $7.6 million to community health service providers through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund. Funding from the province allows its health care system partners to address urgent infrastructure renewal needs such as upgrades or replacements of roofs, windows, security systems, fire alarms and back-up generators. A total of $50 million from the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund will be used by hospitals for urgent projects, including those that support the health system response to COVID-19, such as upgrading HVAC systems to enhance patient and staff safety, and improving infection prevention and control measures.
“We are very pleased that the hospital has received funding for a new generator to support our patient care departments and the delivery of services to the Trent Hills community,” said Dr. Bruce Bain, Chief of Staff, Acting President & CEO, Campbellford Memorial Hospital.
The government continues to make record investments to support hospitals across the province and ensure the health care system is prepared to respond to any scenario. In March 2021, the government committed up to $696.6 million in funding to help cover historic working funds deficits and strengthen the financial stability of hospitals across the province.
“Funding to cover historic working funds deficits acknowledges the unique financial pressures faced by community hospitals in providing critical health care services during a pandemic,” said County Warden Bob Crate. “This investment will help to ensure Campbellford Memorial Hospital’s ongoing financial health so that our frontline health care workers can continue effectively tending to the health of our community. Furthermore, the investment of Health Infrastructure Renewal Funding will ensure that the quality care delivered by Campbellford Memorial Hospital staff is matched with a quality physical environment that enhances patient safety and comfort. We thank the Province for their continued partnership in providing responsive health care services to the residents of Trent Hills and area communities.”
Since the onset of the pandemic, Ontario has been working with its hospital partners to create unprecedented capacity and prepare to respond to any scenario. The government remains committed to supporting hospitals so that they can continue to care for Ontarians today and in the future.
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QUICK FACTS
· A working funds deficit occurs when an organization’s current liabilities exceed their current assets. All hospitals that had a working funds deficit in 2019-20 qualified for this funding.
· As part of a wider, comprehensive surgical recovery plan to provide patients with the care they need, the Ontario government is investing up to $324 million in new funding to enable Ontario’s hospitals and community health sector to perform more surgeries, MRI and CT scans and procedures, including on evenings and weekends.
· Under the 2021 Budget, Ontario is investing an additional $1.8 billion in the hospital sector in 2021-2022, bringing the total additional investment in hospitals since the start of the pandemic to over $5.1 billion. This includes creating more than 3,100 additional hospital beds to increase capacity and reduce occupancy pressures caused by COVID-19, as well as an increase of $778 million in operational funding to ensure all publicly funded hospitals will receive a minimum 1 per cent increase to help them keep pace with patient needs and to increase access to high-quality care for patients and families across Ontario.
· Community Health Centres of Northumberland will receive $28,250 through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund
· Community health facilities are publicly funded and provide a range of programs to patients across the province, including primary care, community mental health and addictions services, allied health care such as physical therapy and respiratory therapy, and programs and services delivered by a public health unit.
· For 2021-22, Ontario has increased the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund by three per cent.
· The government is investing more than $22 billion in capital grants over the next 10 years for health infrastructure projects across Ontario that will lead to $30 billion in health infrastructure.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
· Ontario Ramping Up Efforts to Reduce Surgical Wait Times
· Ontario Supporting Hospitals with Additional Funding During COVID-19
· 2021 Budget – Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy
· Improving Health Care in Ontario
· Ontario Supporting Hospitals with Additional Funding During COVID-19
· Improving Health Care in Ontario
· Hallway Health Care: A System Under Strain
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
