MPP Piccini announces an over $1 million increase in base funding at Northumberland Hills Hospital
The Government of Ontario is delivering on its promise to end hallway health care and build a modern, sustainable and integrated health care system for the people of Ontario. This is a new vision for health care in the province that puts the needs of the patient first.
Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) will receive $1,003,504 in base funding and up to $335,940 in one-time funding from the Provincial Government. This investment represents an increase in base funding that is above the provincial average. This funding will support NHH as they build capacity and quality, while continuing to meet the increasing demands of the local patients.
“Our Government has made many landmark health care investments within the last year, including this funding announcement at NHH,” said David Piccini, MPP for NorthumberlandPeterborough South. “I appreciate the ongoing, tireless work of the team at Northumberland Hills Hospital and this investment will support their continued efforts to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care to the residents of Northumberland.”
“On behalf of the NHH team, we sincerely thank you and our Government’s health system leaders for this very positive news,” said Linda Davis, NHH President and CEO. “The dollars you have announced today will help fund additional beds our team has already had to open in fiscal year 2019/20 in order to meet local patient needs. NHH’s previous base funding provided for 96 beds. An additional 8 beds are supported temporarily through one-time surge dollars for a total funded bed count of 104. Here in Northumberland, where we have a growing and aging population, surge is a reality 12 months of the year. Two months into the current fiscal year, we are continuing to average inpatient occupancy well above our funded 104 threshold, with an average of 121 and 118 inpatients respectively for April and May 2019. These new dollars will help prevent us from having to house patients in hallways or unconventional spaces because beds are not available, and this will make a very significant difference to the patients we serve, and the care providers who deliver that care. Again, thank you for bringing us this news today!”
“MPP Piccini, on behalf of the Board of Directors of NHH, I echo our President and CEO’s gratitude for this support,” said Pam Went, NHH’s Board Chair. “Specifically, I want to thank you for the base funding adjustment. For many years this hospital struggled with an operating shortfall, and one-time, last-minute funding adjustments that hampered our ability to do effective long-term planning. The base increase you’ve announced today will help build the stability and sustainability of the acute care services we provide.”
The Government of Ontario is investing in the frontlines of our health care system with $384 million for Ontario’s hospitals, which will receive on average a 2% increase in funding. These investments will help ensure our hospitals are able to deliver the patient-centred care Ontario patients expect and deserve, while addressing wait times and ending hallway health care. These investments will also go a long way towards ensuring the sustainability of our publicly funded health care system.
“Hallway health care is a multi-faceted problem that will require real and innovative solutions,” said Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott. “Our government will continue to listen to the people who work on the front lines of our health care system as we develop a longterm, transformational strategy to address hallway health care.”
Quick Facts
The Government of Ontario is taking a comprehensive approach to ending hallway health care, including:
- $384 million increased hospital operational funding;
- $174 million in mental health and addiction services;
- $72 million in building long-term care beds; and
- $267 million in home care and community care funding