The Ontario government announced it is investing $9.8 million to support planning for a new state-of-the-art acute care hospital in Windsor and Essex County.

“Our government is providing access to world class health care, wherever you live in Ontario,” said Premier Doug Ford. “The people of Windsor-Essex have waited too long for a new hospital that suits the needs of this growing community. This new hospital means they can get the care they need, closer to home.”

Currently, Windsor Regional Hospital operates two separate acute care campuses in the City of Windsor. Once complete, the new hospital will consolidate and expand acute care services, replacing outdated infrastructure with high tech facilities and supporting better, connected care in the region. Planned services will include cancer care, complex trauma, obstetrics, neurology and cardiology. The new hospital will also have more single-patient rooms to increase patient privacy and prevent the spread of infection. Urgent care and outpatient services will remain at Windsor Regional Hospital’s Ouellette site to preserve access for patients and their families in downtown Windsor.

“Investing in hospital infrastructure projects like the new acute care hospital in Windsor is a key part of our government’s plan to build a modern and connected health care system and end hallway health care,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment for this new acute care hospital will provide better access to care closer to home for patients and families in Windsor and Essex County, and the infrastructure and tools our health care workers need to continue delivering exceptional care.”

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As part of the planning for the new hospital, approximately 68 acute mental health beds are expected to be transferred to Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare to improve mental health and addictions services and programs for the people in the area. These beds will support a new Centre of Excellence in Mental Health and Addictions for the region, making it easier for patients to receive mental health and addiction services in one location.

“This announcement ensures funding to support Stage-2 planning for our new state-of-the-art acute care hospital and propels us forward to transform hospital care in Windsor-Essex for generations to come,” said David Musyj, president and CEO, Windsor Regional Hospital.

“Our region has demonstrated unity and perseverance in advocating for the health care investments that we deserve and today, Premier Ford and his Government have delivered for Windsor-Essex. This funding will ensure that planning and design for the new acute care hospital can proceed and our region can expect modern health care infrastructure to meet the needs of our growing community,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.

Featured image: (Windsor-Essex Hospitals Systems)

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