June 26, 2006

WINDSOR– The McGuinty government is investing $11.3 million to improve access to angioplasty services for patients in Southwestern Ontario, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

"We're on the side of Ontarians who want and deserve the best health care, including residents of Southwestern Ontario seeking access to angioplasty services," Smitherman said. "We have asked the Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital to provide angioplasty services that will ensure close-to-home treatment for those who need access to this important cardiac procedure."

"Making angioplasty services available at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital is a great improvement in cardiac care for the people of Windsor," said Dwight Duncan, MPP for Windsor-St. Clair. "I am extremely happy that the Minister has recognized its importance."

Angioplasty is a medical procedure in which a balloon is used to widen narrowed blood vessels of the heart. It is used to treat coronary artery disease. It is estimated that Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital could begin providing these services in about nine months. Once the service is fully operational the hospital will be able to treat approximately 600 patients per year.

"I am very pleased that the residents of Essex will have access to this valuable cardiac procedure closer to home," said Bruce Crozier, MPP for Essex.

"It has been a long journey to have these services made available in our community", said Sandra Pupatello, MPP for Windsor West. "I am proud to be a member of a government that has shown this level of commitment to the people of Windsor."

This is just the latest example of how the McGuinty government's health care initiatives benefit Southwestern Ontario residents. Others include :

• Expanding access to doctors and nurses by creating 150 new Family Health Teams across the province, including 7 in the Erie St. Clair LHIN
• The provision of $5.13 million in new funding for improved home care and community support services
• An investment of $11.5 million in funding towards increasing services and lowering wait times in the five key areas (hip and knee joint replacement, cataract surgeries, MRI exams, cancer surgeries and cardiac procedures), including $800,000 for an additional 405 cardiac procedures in the Erie St.Clair Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).

Today's initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan for innovation in public health, 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 general public : (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154

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