York Region hospitals get increased funding from provincial budget

Announcement made by York Region MPPs on May 5

Yorkregion.com
May 5, 2017
By Ali Raza

As part of Ontario’s 2017 budget, three York Region hospitals have received $14.5 million from the province.

York Region MPPs made the announcement at their respective community hospitals on Friday, May 5. Richmond Hill MPP Reza Moridi and Vaughan MPP Steven Del Duca made the announcement at Mackenzie Health, while Newmarket MPP Chris Ballard and Oak Ridges-Markham MPP Helena Jaczek made the announcement at Southlake Regional Health Centre and Markham Stouffville Hospital, respectively.

For the 2017-18 fiscal year, Mackenzie Health received $5,808,404 - an increase of 3.26 per cent from last year. Southlake received $5,746,684, a 2.02 per cent increase, and Markham Stouffville Hospital also gained a 2.02 per cent increase for funding of $3,328,331.

It brings the total funding for hospitals in York Region to $14,883,419, following a 3.1 per cent increase in hospital funding proposed in the 2017 provincial budget.

The increased funding is the province’s effort to reduce wait times and expand services. Specifically, the province wants to provide more access to cardiac services, critical care, organ/tissue donations and transplants, rare disease care, and bariatric services.

Improved access and reduced wait times are targeted for chemotherapy, stroke treatments, hip and knee replacements, and MRI scans.