Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith has announced a $1.6-million injection for Quinte Health – the bulk of which will support Trenton Memorial Hospital (TMH.)
Monies are funneling through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF) for critical upgrades and repairs at local hospitals, said Smith.
“The bulk of (this) money will be spent at Trenton Memorial Hospital, where they will replace a 25-year-old boiler, improve air circulation systems, upgrade medical air and gas systems, and improve passenger elevators. These improvements are necessary as the hospital prepares for a multi-million-dollar modernization and expansion of its emergency department,” shared the MPP.
The provincial boost totals a reported $1,603,463 for Quinte Health.
“By investing in the renewal of hospital facilities in Bay of Quinte, we are ensuring that health-care workers and patients are accessing modern conditions that support a positive care environment,” said Smith. “Increased funding this year will mean improved air distribution, hot water systems, medical gas connections, and transportation infrastructure within local hospitals.”
Quinte Health President and CEO Stacey Daub said the 2024-25 allocation is much needed.
“Addressing our aging infrastructure is foundational to providing high-quality care to our communities,” said Daub. “We are extremely grateful to the government for the additional funds received through HIRF this year as it will help upgrade or replace a number of deteriorating systems at Quinte Health.
“This includes replacing the 25-year-old boiler at Trenton Memorial Hospital, ensuring we have the necessary infrastructure in place to accommodate the much-needed expansion of the TMH emergency department. As the demand for hospital services continues to grow, we welcome continued investments in our facilities to enable our teams to better serve our communities now and in the future.”
Ontario is reporting an investment of more than $228 million this year to support critical infrastructure upgrades and repairs at 129 hospitals and 59 community health centre facilities provincewide.
According to Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, the government is investing an additional $20 million this year to enable modernization and critical upgrades.
This year, Ontario increased funding through the HIRF and Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund by a reported 10 per cent. In a recent release, it states this includes the $20 million Jones referenced through a new Exceptional Circumstances Project (ECP) grant, designed to provide targeted support for the most urgent renewal needs throughout the province. Of Quinte Health’s allocation, $340,000 is said to have come from this funding.
As previously reported back in February, the province is helping TMH with an expansion and redevelopment of its ED. It’s said the estimated muti-million-dollar transformation over the coming years will translate to a new “state-of-the-art ED.”
The project will see 6,000 square feet undergo renovations and about 1,000 square feet added to TMH to create the new ED.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
