Province funds HHHS infrastructure project

By Sue Tiffin

Published July 18 2017


Plans are in the works to improve health facility infrastructure in the county with a $293500 investment from the provincial government.


Haliburton Highlands Health Services was awarded the funding as part of the Exceptional Circumstances Project grant through Ontario’s Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF) program.


The funding is slated for roof repairs at the Haliburton hospital improved access to the Community Support Services office GAIN building improvements and a new nurse call-bell system at the Haliburton and Minden hospitals that a press release referred to as being “much-needed.”


“I am thrilled with the announcement; the funds will go a long way to making much needed improvements to our facilities which will in turn help us to continue providing safe high quality care and service to the people and visitors of Haliburton County” said HHHS president and  chief executive officer Carolyn Plummer.


This marks the second year HHHS has received funding through the HIRF grant.


Fifteen hospitals in Eastern Ontario are benefitting from the $11 million rural health care investment in critical infrastructure repairs and upgrades announced last week. Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay received $40000.


“On behalf of Ontario hospitals I’d like to thank the Ontario government for recognizing the need for this vital investment” said Anthony Dale president and CEO Ontario Hospital Association in a press release.


“Given the continued capacity pressure facing hospitals as a result of a growing and aging population ongoing investment in equipment upgrades and building repairs is needed to extend the life of all hospital facilities to maintain access to frontline services.”


The Ontario government is spending an additional $9 billion on new hospital projects in the province with a planned investment of more than $20 billion over the next ten years as part of the 2017 budget. More than $190 billion is being invested to help build new child care spaces schools hospitals public transit highways and roads over 13 years beginning in 2014-2015.