Sensenbrenner Hospital in Kapuskasing received some good news late yesterday afternoon.
The provincial government has announced $13 million in funding to create 129 more beds including 15 at Sensenbrenner Hospital. Chief Executive Officer France Dallaire called the news amazing for the region and the hospital is excited to accommodate more patients who require hospital care or alternative care at their facility. She adds that the 15 extra-beds will help to alleviate the pressures of over capacity that have had a drastic impact over the years. Kirkland Lake and Moose Factory were other northern Ontario communities that were also part of the announcement.
“Our government continues to invest in urgent health care priorities in communities across the north,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and MPP for Kenora–Rainy River. “We are delivering on our promise to make a difference in Northern communities by providing improved patient care capacity and hospital beds where they are needed most.”
The new beds announced today are in addition to the $234.5 million investment for 139 critical care beds and up to 1,349 hospital beds included in Ontario’s fall preparedness plan,Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19. This brings the total investment to $351 million for more than 2,250 new beds at 57 hospitals and alternate health facilities across the province – beds that will add more capacity for hospitals, help with occupancy pressures and support the continuation of surgeries and procedures.
