ST. CATHARINES — Ontario’s Government for the People is investing in rehabilitation care for patients and families in the Niagara Region.
Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and Monte McNaughton, Minister of Infrastructure, were at the Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre today to announce a $500,000 planning grant for the proposed expansion of rehabilitation beds.
“Our government is committed to building a health care system centred around the patient and ensuring speciality health care centres are meeting the needs of growing communities and demands for rehabilitation,” said Minister Elliott. “That is why I am proud to announce important investments in health care infrastructure like at Hotel Dieu Shaver, so residents have access to high-quality and reliable health care when and where they need it.”
The grant will help Hotel Dieu Shaver complete the first stage of planning for the proposed project to upgrade its aging facility.
“Good infrastructure comes from proper planning. I’m pleased that our government is providing funding for early planning work for Hotel Dieu Shaver’s proposed expansion," said McNaughton. “We are committed to supporting healthcare infrastructure in communities like Niagara.”
“We are so pleased and proud that our provincial government has acknowledged the valuable role that rehabilitation services plays in helping to alleviate hallway medicine and improve the quality of life of so many,” said Lynne Pay, Interim CEO of Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre. “With this increased bed capacity and enhanced infrastructure, we can help so many more patients regain their independence and quality of life.”
“With this investment, we are one step closer to ending hallway health care,” said Elliott. “By continuing to listen and work with frontline staff and the patients they serve, we will build a smarter and sustainable health care system for the people of Ontario.”
QUICK FACTS
Hotel Dieu Shaver is a specialty health care facility that provides rehabilitation, complex care and geriatric services for families in the Niagara Region. It operates 134 beds (97 complex care and 37 adult high-intensity/short duration rehabilitation) in St. Catharines.
Ontario is quickly moving forward to address challenges facing the health care system by also investing:
$3.8 billion over the next 10 years to develop and implement a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions strategy
$175 million in repairs and upgrades to 128 hospitals this year through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund
Nearly $33.6 million to build 193 new hospice beds across the province
More than $300 million to support the addition of 6,000 new long-term care beds — the first wave of more than 15,000 new long-term care beds over the next five years.
For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 (Toll-free in Ontario only).
MEDIA CONTACTS
Hayley Chazan
Office of the Deputy Premier &
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
416-726-9941
David Jensen
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
416-314-6197
ontario.ca/newsroom