The Ontario government is investing up to $2.5 million to support early planning for Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s new South Campus Health Hub in Innisfil. This funding will support planning to add this new health centre to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s network to expand health care services and improve access to care for patients and families in Barrie and south Simcoe County communities as they continue to grow.
“This investment will ensure the hospital can meet the growing demands of patients in Barrie and Simcoe County so they can continue to receive high-quality care and services for generations to come,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
The new South Campus is part of Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s integrated “one system; two site” capital plan which will evolve over the next two decades to build new infrastructure and upgrade existing facilities. The South Campus is planned to be implemented in a phased manner, starting with ambulatory and urgent care services, so that patients are envisioned to have access to outpatient services closer to home, including day surgeries, minor medical procedures, treatments and diagnostic tests. The new South Campus Health Hub will also free up capacity and reduce wait times at the North Campus Emergency Department.
“The future Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre South Campus will change the health care landscape in south Simcoe County and ensure that the care and well-being of our residents continues to be met,” said Lynn Dollin, Mayor of Innisfil. “We are grateful to have the support from Premier Ford, Minister Clark, Minister Elliott, and the Province of Ontario in bringing this critical infrastructure to our community.”
Earlier this year, Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, granted the Town of Innisfil Council’s request for a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) to accelerate the development of the new South Campus Health Hub on an 83-acre site in Innisfil. In partnership with local municipal councils, MZOs are an important part of the Ontario government’s toolkit to move critical local projects forward at the pace Ontarians need and deserve, such as health care facilities and housing.
“The population of south Simcoe County is going to double over the next twenty years, significantly increasing demand for RVH beds and services,” said Janice Skot, President and CEO, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre. “Although developing a hospital is complex and timelines can be long, the MZO provides planning certainty that RVH’s South Campus can be built at this location. It enables the health centre to continue detailed site planning and well-positions us to more quickly secure provincial approvals for the plan which will improve access to health care for area residents for generations to come.”
Featured image: (RVH)
