Million dollar Mike

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Brown today announced more than $1 million in funding for hospitals in his district.

The following is the full text of a news release issued by Brown today:

**************************** Brown announces funding for hospital improvements

Government to provide over $1.1 million to Algoma-Manitoulin hospitals

The Government of Ontario is making sure Algoma–Manitoulin hospital facilities remain in top condition for patients by investing over $1.1 million in needed upgrades to the hospitals, Mike Brown, M.P.P. for Algoma-Manitoulin announced today on behalf of Health and Long Term Care Minister George Smitherman.

"This investment will help Algoma-Manitoulin hospitals keep pace with needed improvements so that they can continue to offer the very best care to their patients," said Brown.

A total of $60 million in capital funding, more than three times the amount spent last year, will be provided to Ontario hospitals, including more than $8.6 million for hospitals in Northern Ontario.

This funding will be used for important projects including:

• renovations to improve the condition and efficiency of clinical spaces, such as upgrading electrical systems;

• structural repairs, including roof replacement and removing mould and hazardous materials;

• upgrading heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and replacing windows; and

• improvements to comply with safety standards and building code requirements, such as upgrading fire alarm systems and back-up generators.

Funding is being provided through the Government’s Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund, a new funding method that will provide hospitals with predictable year-to-year funding for renewal projects and reduce administrative overhead.

The specific funding amounts for Algoma-Manitoulin Hospitals are as follows: Blind River District Health Centre Blind River $121,140

Espanola General Hospital Espanola $121,833

Hornepayne Community Hospital Hornepayne $125,469

Lady Dunn Health Centre Wawa $121,267

Manitoulin Health Centre Little Current & Mindemoya $235,062

Manitouwadge General Hospital Manitouwadge $125,666

Services de Santé de Chapleau Health Services Chapleau $119,894

St. Joseph's General Hospital Elliot Lake $130,946 Total: $1,101,277 Sault Area Hospital* Sault Ste. Marie, Richard’s Landing and Thessalon $605,416 * Sault Area Hospital operates two sites in Algoma-Manitoulin, at Richard’s Landing and at Thessalon. The hospital will determine how its funding allocation is distributed between sites, including the hospital sites in Algoma-Manitoulin.

"This funding is just one aspect of the Government's commitment to improving health care delivery in the North," said Brown.

"Everyone deserves access to quality health care and that's why we have made record investments in community health services, including home care and long-term care, so that people in Northern Ontario can receive care in their communities and homes, rather than queuing up in emergency waiting rooms."

In July the Government announced an additional $469.5 million in operating funds for Ontario's hospitals – an increase of 4.3 per cent over last year. Hospitals will receive a total of $11.3 billion in operating funding in 2004/05.

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