MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

August 12 , 2011

IMPROVING PATIENT CARE AT LONDON HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE AND ST. JOSEPH’S HEALTH CARE, LONDON

LONDON, ON – The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-term Care and MPP for London North Centre, along with the Honourable Chris Bentley, Attorney General, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and MPP for London West and Khalil Ramal, MPP for London – Fanshawe, joined hospital staff and community members today to mark the official start of construction of the third and final phase of acute redevelopments at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and St. Joseph’s Health Care, London (St. Joseph’s).

In addition, Minister Matthews announced that the government is providing additional operating funding of over $21 million to LHSC and $1.1 million to St. Joseph’s to support expanded inpatient medical and surgical services that were made possible through Phases 1 and 2 of the redevelopment.

The funding will also support expanded inpatient paediatric services, adult, child and adolescent mental health services, increased ambulatory care services and the operating costs of running and maintaining the hospitals’ newly expanded space.

The third and final phase of acute redevelopment of both LHSC and St. Joseph’s will provide the community with modernized health care facilities that meet the latest infection prevention and control standards, and barrier-free features to improve accessibility to people with disabilities.

At LHSC, additional operating rooms will be constructed; the Department of Medicine and Allied Health Services will be consolidated and a Family Medicine/Palliative Care Inpatient Unit developed. After the completion of construction, LHSC will become one of the largest teaching hospitals in Ontario.

At St. Joseph’s, a new addition and renovations to the existing facility will consolidate outpatient clinics, which will support the transition to becoming a leading teaching hospital in acute and ambulatory care.

Substantial completion for both LHSC and St. Joseph’s is expected in winter 2015.

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with LHSC and St. Joseph’s to redevelop the facilities, which will remain publicly owned and publicly controlled.

Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to delivering some of the province’s larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects, on time and on budget; managing one of the largest real estate portfolios in Canada and providing real estate services, such as asset management and property and land management; and providing the public sector and not-for-profit organizations with long-term financing to renew public infrastructure.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.

Quotes:

Hon. Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
“This is exciting news for Londoners. I’m proud that today’s announcement will bring this community increased access to high quality, state-of-the-art health care services close to home.”

Hon. Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure
“Today’s announcement illustrates the government’s commitment to building modern health-care facilities that provide Ontarians with the services they need and deserve.”

Hon. Chris Bentley, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Attorney General
“This is a significant project that will not only improve access and quality of patient care, but will also stimulate the local economy by generating jobs in London and the surrounding communities.”

Khalil Ramal, MPP for London – Fanshawe
“Today’s announcement is an exciting achievement. Each step in this process brings us closer to building facilities that better support our model of care for the community.”

Bonnie Adamson, President and CEO of London Health Sciences Centre
“The Ontario government’s continued investment in the future of healthcare in London is tremendous news and will allow us to take patient care to new levels. This funding is an important enabler for improving patient access and enhancing patient safety, two of our key priorities. We appreciate this ongoing partnership which will position us to better meet expanding community needs and make a real difference to those receiving care at our facilities.”

Dr. Gillian Kernaghan, President and CEO, St. Joseph’s Health Care, London
“With the on-going support from the Ontario government we continue to redefine and optimize our health care services here in London, focusing on patient care and access. Through investments like these, St. Joseph’s can continue to develop specialized and acute care programs to provide an exceptional patient experience, inter-professional care and education on a nationally recognized platform. Simply put, it’s about providing the best services we can for each individual who comes through our doors.”

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