Province make investment to expand services at the hospital

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith
News Release

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Ontario is expanding services at North Bay General Hospital to ensure that residents of Nipissing can get better access to the quality care they need, close to home.

The province is providing $7 million in additional operating funding to help the hospital provide services in the space created through its recently-completed redevelopment project. The money will be used for the North Bay General Hospital’s redevelopment.

North Bay General Hospital is one of 32 newly-redeveloped hospitals across the province expanding services.

Investing in front line health care is part of the province’s Open Ontario Plan to provide more access to health care services and improve quality and accountability for patients.

“Our hospitals play an important role in our community’s health care needs,” said Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing. “Today’s funding announcement will help to facilitate the transition from the current site to the new site, as well as assist in maintaining all sites until the move to the North Bay Regional Health Centre is complete.”

“We are very pleased with this announcement of $7 million dollars in additional operating funding for our new facility. This is a significant step forward as we continue our dialogue on the post construction operating budget with the Ministry of Health and Long Term care at the same time as we work through the very important transition and move to the new hospital in January,” said Mark Hurst, President & CEO, North Bay General Hospital & Northeast Mental Health Centre.

NE LHIN CEO Louise Paquette noted that, “The North East LHIN is pleased to see additional support provided to the new North Bay Regional Health Centre. The financial support will serve all citizens of North Bay who will benefit from this new state-of-the art hospital all in one beautiful location.”

QUICK FACTS

 The Ontario government has completed 63 major hospital redevelopment projects since October 2003.

 There are currently more than 32 projects in the hospital sector eligible for post construction operating funding at various stages of construction with 12 expected to be completed in 2010/11.

 Another nine hospital redevelopment projects are scheduled to begin in 2010/11.

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