July 19, 2007

PALMERSTON – The McGuinty government is providing increased funding, as well as the go-ahead to award the construction contract for North Wellington Health Care’s renovation of a six-station hemodialysis unit at Palmerston and District Hospital, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

“This investment is all about making sure North Wellington patients have better dialysis services closer to home,” said Smitherman. “This is just another example of how we are improving the delivery of much needed health care in the local community.”

The new six-station dialysis unit will be a satellite of Grand River Hospital, and is a part of a comprehensive and integrated chronic kidney disease regional program administered by the hospital. Once completed in spring 2008, the dialysis satellite will provide 5,616 treatments and will serve up to 36 end stage renal disease patients.

The additional support will increase the ministry’s capital grant to $2,240,100 towards a total project cost of $2,786,500. Today’s announcement builds on the government’s initial investment of $375,000 for the project.

“I am delighted the government is pressing forward with this project, which has amazing local community support,” said John Wilkinson MPP Perth-Middlesex. “This will mean patients in Palmerston, and surrounding municipalities, will have dialysis services closer to home, when they need them.”

“We are very pleased to be given the go-ahead for this much needed dialysis unit,” said Jerome Quenneville, CEO, North Wellington Health Care. “It will provide a significant benefit to patients, in our community.”

This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have achieved results in health care services in North Wellington. Other initiatives include:

• A $1,678,025 increase in base operating funding for North Wellington Health Care since 2003/04;
• Over 6,300 area residents are receiving primary care at the Mount Forest Family Health Team, including more than 270 who previously did not have a family doctor;
• A two-storey addition to the nearby Listowel Memorial Hospital.

Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty government’s plan for innovation in public health care, building a system that delivers on three priorities – keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

For further information :

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416-327-4327, or 1-866-532-3161

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