Skip to content

Sudbury's hospital gets funded, Sault still waiting

Construction of the new Sudbury Regional Hospital, on hold for the past three years, is back underway after Premier Dalton McGuinty committed yesterday to cover 80 per cent of the redevelopment cost.
CashRegister

Construction of the new Sudbury Regional Hospital, on hold for the past three years, is back underway after Premier Dalton McGuinty committed yesterday to cover 80 per cent of the redevelopment cost.

The Premier also presided yesterday over the official opening of the new Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Thunder Bay background

But there's still no word on funding for the new Sault Area Hospital.

At the end of April, Sault MPP David Orazietti said that a meeting would be held about six weeks from then to answer final concerns from the Ministry of Health about the Sault Ste. Marie project.

The following is the official announcement about Sudbury Regional from the Office of the Premier:

************************** McGuinty government increases commitment to 80 per cent of Sudbury Regional Hospital redevelopment

Improves access to health services for northeastern Ontarians

SUDBURY, ON, May 31 - The McGuinty government's unprecedented commitment to cover 80 per cent of the Sudbury Regional Hospital redevelopment project will provide northeastern Ontarians with better access to health services, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said today. "People have waited a long time for this hospital," said Premier McGuinty.

"This funding will help the community realize its vision of providing better health care, closer to home." This funding will also help improve patient care, emergency, cardiovascular, and maternal and newborn services, as well as expand mental health and rehabilitation services.

In addition, the laboratory and diagnostic imaging departments will be modernized.

The Sudbury Regional Hospital redevelopment project will consolidate three hospital sites into one and, once complete, will be a state-of-the-art facility with 429 beds.

It will also become a teaching facility for the new Northern Ontario Medical School when it opens in 2005. On March 29, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman convened a summit with ministry officials, hospital administrators and volunteer hospital and board foundation members to develop an action plan to move the project forward.

Ken White, president and CEO of Trillium Health Centre and a native of Fort Frances, was named as a facilitator to serve as a liaison between the hospital and the ministry. "We're happy to announce this special arrangement with Sudbury Regional Hospital to cover 80 per cent of the shareable costs of their redevelopment project," said Minister Smitherman.

"We are confident that this announcement will ensure a bright future for the hospital and the communities it serves." The Premier and Minister Smitherman were also joined by Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Rick Bartolucci.

The Premier recognized Minister Bartolucci for his hard work and dedication in bringing better health services to northern Ontarians.

"Today's announcement, combined with our commitment to the new northern medical school, will help create a state-of-the-art health system in the north where doctors and nurses are better able to provide the quality health care people deserve," said Premier McGuinty. The Premier also emphasized the government's commitment to delivering results in health care across the province, including shorter wait times and better access to doctors and nurses.

"This is the right thing to do, with Ontarians, for Ontarians."

***************************


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.




David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
Read more