With the efficacy of regional well being care remaining underneath the highlight, Ontario’s deputy premier and well being minister was in Orangeville on Thursday, asserting the renovation and enlargement of the emergency division at Headwaters Well being Care Centre.
Minister Silvia Jones stated the undertaking would enhance the hospital’s affected person capability and high quality of care.
“Our government is continuing to build on our progress to connect more families in our community to the care they need,” stated Jones in her announcement speech. “These departments will be renovated, modernized and expanded to increase patient capacity, enhance patient experience and ensure the hospital is better equipped to deliver state of the art care.”
The undertaking will occur with $3.6 million in funding from the province.
Nonetheless, the Headwaters emergency division has closed on a number of events as a result of staffing shortages.
When Ontario Chronicle requested about whether or not the enlargement can be sufficient to forestall future closures, Jones stated: “We’ve put in place some additional supports to ensure that hospitals have the necessary supports they need. Our numbers show that the need for temporary closures has decreased almost over 50 per cent.”
In response to Annette Jones, Headwaters vice chairman, affected person expertise and CNE, greater than 36,000 sufferers go to the emergency division annually, practically 56 per cent greater than the 23,000 annual visits it was initially designed to deal with.
“Improving patient flow, decreasing wait times, optimizing the existing physical space, and most importantly, enhancing the patient and family experience,” stated Jones about how the enlargement will enhance the emergency division’s supply of care.
The province has additionally beforehand helped Headwaters renovate its X-ray diagnostics and add a brand new CT machine.
Native leaders stated Thursday’s announcement is a step in the precise route.
“Everyone’s concerned about health care, of course,” stated Dave Sheen, Ward 2 councillor for the City of Caledon. “I think this improved emergency department will definitely impact wait times for patients from Caledon and Orangeville and the surrounding area.”
“I think the province has stepped up, and they’re doing quite a bit to support not only our frontline workers, but the system in general,” stated Gary Staples, Dufferin County Paramedic Providers chief. “Is there more that can be done? There always can be. But with the resources being provided, we’re ensuring that we’re providing our community with the best care possible.”
The emergency division enlargement will enter the planning section starting with the tender and bid course of, which implies particulars corresponding to design and sq. footage will likely be decided over the subsequent few months.
