Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is receiving more than $900,000 from the County of Simcoe to support local healthcare in the Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny Township, Tay Township, Georgian Bay Township, Springwater Township and Beausoleil First Nation area.
The County has pledged nearly $3.16 million to GBGH over 15 years. For the first time since that pledge was made in 2017, GBGH is using $901,936, leaving a balance of more than $2.2 million to be used at the hospital’s discretion until 2031.
GBGH will use $239,000 of these funds toward the redevelopment of its sterilization department. The hospital will dedicate $662,963 to pay the remaining balance on its new computerized tomography (CT) scanner which arrived in 2018.
“We are very fortunate to have the support of all the municipalities which make up the County of Simcoe as they understand the vital importance of local healthcare for residents,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH and chair, Simcoe County Hospital Alliance. “Upgrades to GBGH’s sterilization department directly impacts safety at our hospital. Having our new CT scanner has led to dramatic decreases in wait times and improved diagnosis due to its speed and image quality.”
This is part of the County’s $45 million commitment to the Simcoe County Hospital Alliance between 2017 and 2031. The Alliance is made up of hospitals inside our region and one which cares for County residents – GBGH, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Collingwood General & Marine Hospital, Stevenson Memorial Hospital, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care and Southlake Regional Health Centre.
It was established in 2002 to advise the County of Simcoe of ongoing hospital capital needs and ensure equitable distribution of the County’s healthcare funding.
“Amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, the County of Simcoe continues to recognize the increasing demand for high-quality, accessible local healthcare,” said County of Simcoe Warden George Cornell. “Our long tradition of investment in local area hospitals is important now more than ever, as we work together to provide enhanced physical, social and psychological supports to our residents. This $900,000 investment will support Georgian Bay General Hospital in continuing to deliver these critical services to Simcoe County residents including vital medical equipment and redevelopment of the hospital’s sterilization department.”
Since 1994, the County of Simcoe has committed $107 million to improve local hospital care and specialized services.