A hospital is key to the health of any community

Recent announcements by Ontario’s Minister of Health underline your government’s understanding that a hospital is key to the health of any community- especially in rural Ontario.

Over the past month alone key investments have been made into area hospitals that will benefit the people of Brant County and beyond.

Recently, the Ernie Eves government delivered a significant funding announcement for Brantford General that will improve services for the people of Brant.  A total of $1,364,400 is being injected into improving inpatient rehabilitation and ambulatory care at BGH.  The allocation - part of an overall $39.7 million investment increasing base operating funding for the expansion of services related to the completion of capital construction.

Brant area residents will also benefit from the recently completed expansion of BGH’s emergency department. The hospital now boasts a new entrance to the ER, an expanded waiting room, a six-bed examination room, a seven-bed unit for patients requiring more involved treatment, and a resuscitation room.

This year, government has increased BGH’s funding for 2002-2003 by close to $8 million, representing a 11.3 per cent increase over last year and bringing total annual funding to $69.3 million.  Over the last five years, BGH has received base funding increases of $31.71 million – a 77 per cent hike. 

It was just over a month ago that Premier Eves announced approval of a CT scanner for Woodstock General Hospital that will give area residents, reduced waiting times and unprecedented access to CT services. Recently, Norfolk General Hospital also benefited from an announcement paving the way for a CT scanner – again reducing wait times and improving access to people in our corner of rural Ontario

As well, Norfolk General will soon be proceeding with the expansion of its emergency room – a project that received ministry approval nearly three years ago. I have confidence that this project will be as successful as BGH’s has proven to be. When NGH’s expansion project is complete, both hospitals will serve as a reminder to the community the accomplishments that can be made when everyone works together.

Hospitals at Brantford, Woodstock and Simcoe have historically been fiscally responsible and continue to provide top-notch services to their patients. I hear good things about BGH as I go door-to-door in Brant County – this is testament to the hospital’s professional staff, administration and board of directors.

Despite recent gains, Ontario must continue to establish initiatives to attract physicians to our area. What good is a state-of-the-art facility and equipment if we don’t have the professionals to perform the job?

Everyday we see the successes in our health care system reflected in the dedication of the highly professional medical staff who work in our world class hospitals like BGH. While our government recognizes the importance of these medical professionals, the federal government continues to ignore their obligation to provide adequate funding to the system.     

The provinces have been paying most of the federal Liberal's share of health care costs for years. It's time for Ottawa to become an equal partner, instead of some uncle who pulls out his wallet and hands you a few coins when he comes to visit.

Working together with all levels of government and stakeholders, we have the opportunity to build on steps taken to address the unique challenges for our smaller rural hospitals.