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Province will invest $2.5 million in South Simcoe health care

March 17, 2022   ·   0 Comments

The Ontario government has announced plans to invest $2.5 million to support early planning for the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s new South Campus Health Hub located in Innisfil. 

The funding will support planning to add the new health centre to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s network to expand health care services and improve access to care for patients and families in Barrie and South Simcoe County communities.

The region has a growing population as more people are moving into the area.

“After decades of inaction from previous governments, we are making historic investments in hospital infrastructure all across Ontario,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. “With this investment, the people and families of Simcoe County will now have access to the world class health care that this growing community needs and deserves.”

The new South Campus is part of the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s integrated “one system – two site” capital plan which will evolve over the next two decades to build new infrastructure and upgrade existing facilities.

The South Campus is planned to be implemented in a phased program starting with ambulatory and urgent care services. Patients will have access to outpatient services closer to home, including day surgeries, minor medical procedures, treatments, and diagnostic tests.

The Hub will also free up capacity and reduce wait times at the North Campus Emergency Department.

“Investing in Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s new South Campus builds on our government’s work to end hallway health care and ensure Ontarians have access to the care they need closer to home,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment will ensure the hospital can meet the growing demands of patients in Barrie and Simcoe County so they can continue to receive high-quality care and services for generations to come.”

Earlier this year, Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for Ontario, granted the Town of Innisfil’s request for a Minister’s Zoning Order to accelerate the development of the new South Campus Health Hub.

The location will be on an 83-acre site in Innisfil.

“As our community grows so does our health care needs,” said Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie, Springwater, Oro-Medonte. “Campus Health Hub will mean easier access to health care services and more career opportunities for the growing population. This health centre will complement the community hub that has been created in Innisfil for generations to come.”

Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre provides care to approximately 490,000 patients every year including 84,200 who visit the hospital’s emergency department. Those numbers are expect to increase as the communities the hospital serves continue to grow.

The Ontario government is increasing Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s operating funding for the third straight year.

Beginning in 2021 / 22, the hospital will receive over $14 million in additional operating funding representing an increase of 5.6 per cent over the previous year. 

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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