The Ontario government announced on January 7 that through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF) it will invest more than $475,000 into Arnprior Regional Health’s facilities.

“This funding is part of our government’s commitment to invest $27 billion in hospital infrastructure over the next ten years in order to address urgent facility needs that will help enhance patient care and safety for our communities,” said John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke. “Maintaining hospital infrastructure is critical to ensuring Ontarians have the health care services they depend on while building the capacity we need to end hallway health care.”

Arnprior Regional Health (ARH), which manages 105 beds across western Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley, is using the funding to purchase and install a new ducted air conditioning system in the hospital’s patient care areas.

“The HIRF investment allows us to make a significant upgrade to the patient and family experience by creating a safer and more comfortable environment,” said ARH president and CEO Eric Hanna. “We currently have portable window air conditioning units in our patient rooms, but it is not an ideal system for our patients due to the excessive noise, lack of uniform cooling in rooms and inadequate air filtration. The new system will modernize and upgrade our facility for our patients.”

The work began in late December and will be completed in phases over approximately eight months.

Through the HIRF, the Ontario government is investing in repairs and upgrades for its 131 hospitals.