From left: Greg McLeod, Integrated VP Capital Planning, Infrastructure and Environmental Services / COO, RVH & SFMH Sabine Mersmann, President and CEO, Pembroke Regional Hospital Janna Hotson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Deep River & District Health Pierre Noel, Interim President & CEO, Arnprior Regional Health Billy Denault, MPP, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke (Photo supplied by the Province of Ontario)
The head of Renfrew and Barry’s Bay hospitals says the latest funding boost from the province will help them explore new possibilities and maintain the facilities patients use every day.
Renfrew Victoria Hospital and St. Francis Memorial Hospital President and CEO Suzanne Madore is grateful to the Ministry of Health and local MPP Billy Denault for recognizing the growing need within the healthcare sector locally and increasing the permanent funding supporting their operational budgets by 4% and 9.6% to approximately $1.7 million and $1.06 million, respectively.
That money directly affects both hospitals’ ability to maintain crucial services that patients rely on and finding solutions to gaps in care.
Both hospitals also recently received a share of the province’s Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund, which Madore says will be vital as they maintain aging infrastructure and continue to upgrade and bring in new technology essential to delivering safe, high-quality care close to home.
SFMH just recently wrapped up phase one of construction for their new emergency department, while RVH has a pair of major upcoming projects, including the installation of a negative pressure isolation room for their ER, expected to begin this fall.
Both investments come at an important moment for hospitals across the province, many of whom are feeling growing pressure from rising costs.
Madore also notes that hospital representatives have had recent discussions with MPP Denault regarding healthcare in Renfrew County and how to best serve rural communities.
(written by Kasey Egan)
