October 20, 2006

BRAMPTON – The McGuinty government is helping the new 608-bed Brampton Civic Hospital of the William Osler Health Centre to take another step towards opening its doors to patients with a grant of $18.9 million for equipment and furnishings, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

“We know residents in the Brampton area are eagerly awaiting the opening of their new hospital,” said Smitherman. “This funding will allow the hospital to be equipped with the latest in medical technology, helping to provide local residents with the best possible hospital care.”

The funding will help the hospital purchase equipment needed for medical imaging including x-rays, ultrasounds, and CT and MRI scans. It will also allow the hospital to acquire equipment for use in its operating rooms such as lamps and articulating arms, as well as sterilizers and washers necessary for infection control and quality patient care.

The new state-of-the-art hospital, which includes 302 new beds, will provide high quality health care to the community's growing population and accommodate 90,000 visits each year to its emergency room.  The Brampton Civic Hospital is expected to open in fall 2007.

“We appreciate the government's continued support of our new hospital project,” said William Osler Health Centre Board Chair Gordon Laschinger. “This facility will have a great impact on the quality of care and access to care for the people of Brampton and surrounding areas.”

Smitherman was joined today by local MPPs Vic Dhillon (Brampton West-Mississauga), Linda Jeffrey (Brampton Centre) and Dr. Kuldip Kular (Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale).

“Today’s announcement reflects our government’s commitment to strengthening the health of residents by providing quality hospital care,” said Dr. Kular.

Other initiatives by the McGuinty government benefiting the health of Ontarians include :

• Increasing operating funding to provincial hospitals to $12.9 billion in 2006/07, growing to $14 billion in 2008/09
• Reducing wait times for five key health care services (hip and knee joint replacement, cataract surgeries, MRI exams, cancer surgeries and cardiac procedures) with a recent investment of $222.5 million
• Increasing medical school enrollment by 23 percent and funding long-term care homes to hire 682 new nurses.

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 :

Members of the media :

David Spencer, 416-327-4320
Minister's Office

John Letherby, 416-314-6197
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Members of the general public :
(416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154

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