The provincial government is adding new beds in six northern Ontario hospitals.
The Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora is the closest facility benefiting with an additional 12 hospital beds.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford says it’s part of a $13 million investment to create 129 beds.
Rickford says the new beds will help hospitals deal with a surge of admissions should there be an outbreak of COVID-19.
The Northern Development Minister notes the money will also increase capacity, reduce surgical backlogs and improve access to care.
Rickford says this is part of the funding announced for hospitals in last week’s provincial budget.
“Continuing with our significant investments in supporting hospitals. Not only to deal with the pandemic but to get the other priorities in health back on track.”
Here is a breakdown of health care announcement:
-28 beds at Kirkland Lake District Hospital
-12 beds at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora
-15 beds at Sensenbrenner Hospital in Kapuskasing
-25 beds in Weeneebayko Area Health Authority in Moose Factory
-28 beds and 1 additional critical care bed at Health Sciences North in Sudbury
-30 hospital beds at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
