Ontario sinks over $5,000,000 into Niagara hospitals to offset shortfall

Niagara’s hospitals were just handed $5,006,981 from the Ontario government to help lessen the financial blow they have suffered at the hands of the pandemic.

The government acknowledged in a release that it recognizes Ontario hospitals have felt financial challenges not only through direct costs “but also through the loss of other forms of revenue such as co-payments for private rooms and the reduction of retail services, all of which contribute to patient care and support clinical services.”

To that end, Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff was in St. Catharines yesterday (March 15) to present Lynn Guerriero, President and CEO of Niagara Health, with the big cheque to help Niagara hospitals recoup a portion of their financial shortfalls since the pandemic began in March 2020.

“Niagara Health has been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and our government is using every tool at our disposal to support them,” said Oosterhoff.

“This investment is a key part of our government’s plan to end hallway healthcare, cut hospital wait times and build a better, more connected health care system that puts patients and their families first.”

Guerriero, who joined Niagara Health in February 2020, just a month before the pandemic shut down North America, was pleased for the help, noting, “Our dedicated team has stepped up to provide testing, open assessment and vaccination centres, and care for COVID patients throughout this crisis.”

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“This funding will ensure Niagara Health can continue to provide high-quality and safe services to all residents of the region.”

Oosterhoff said the funding is part of the province’s overall investment of over $1.2 billion to help hospitals recover from financial pressures created and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.