For Immediate Release:
June, 2000

Ministry of Health Funding Announcement Helps GTA/905 Hospitals Keep Up with Population Growth

"Increased funding announced Wednesday by Health Minister Elizabeth Witmer will help GTA/905 hospitals cope with the fastest growing and fastest aging population in the province," says new GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance Chair, Gale Mossman.

This announcement adds 2% to hospital budgets and with the shift of one-time funding to permanent funding totals $114 million for hospitals in Durham, Halton, Peel, York and surrounding areas. "Certainly this additional funding will enable hospitals to address operating plan deficits and we look forward to the Minister's fall funding allocation once hospitals' operating plan submissions are reviewed," says Executive Director, Jim Armstrong.

Hospitals in the GTA/905 are working to keep up with a population growing at twice the provincial average. Based on the Health Services Restructuring Commission's recommendations GTA/905 hospitals need more patient programs and services to provide appropriate healthcare to its growing number of residents and deal with the specific healthcare needs of a significant elderly population.

"The Minister has shown her commitment to addressing the needs of patients in high growth areas and we will work with her and her Ministry to help support reform and rebuilding efforts that enable patients to access services closer to home," states Mossman.

GTA/905 hospitals are currently assessing gaps in service in the four regions as discussions continue with the Ministry of Health for the necessary funding to provide services closer to home.

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The GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance is a group of eleven hospital corporations from the regions of Durham, Halton, Peel, York and surrounding areas. Alliance hospitals include: Halton Healthcare Services, Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, Lakeridge Health Corporation, Markham Stouffville Hospital, Rouge Valley Health System, Southlake Regional Health Centre, The Credit Valley Hospital, Trillium Health Centre, Whitby Mental Health Centre, William Osler Health Centre, and York Central Hospital.