Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre receives $5M to plan and design cardiovascular surgery program
The Ontario government has announced an investment of $5.2 million to support the planning and design of a cardiovascular surgery program at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
When complete, the project will enable cardiac surgery to be regularly performed in Northwestern Ontario.
“With investments like this, our government is cutting wait times and strengthening health care services for people all across the province,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This incredible program will ensure the people of northwestern Ontario can get the critical heart care they need faster and closer to home.”
Cardiovascular surgery is currently not offered in Northwestern Ontario, meaning that patients who require cardiovascular surgery must travel to other parts of the province or country to receive care. In 2020–21, 206 patients traveled outside Northwestern Ontario for cardiovascular surgeries and post-operative care, most often travelling for more than 10 hours to Toronto. The development of a Cardiovascular Surgery Program at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre will make more urgent cardiac and vascular services available, so patients can receive timely, high-quality care.
To launch the cardiovascular surgery program, existing space at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre will be renovated and expanded to include:
- additional cardiovascular surgery inpatient cardiac care unit beds;
- a new surgical suite equipped with C-arm imaging technology and recovery area;
- an expanded ambulatory care and pre-admission clinic;
- a new vascular lab; and
- renovations to medical devices reprocessing and biomedical departments.
The government is also working closely with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to expand its existing suite of cardiovascular services to better meet the health care needs of people who live in Northwestern Ontario. The mix of programs and services to be delivered through the cardiovascular surgery program will be confirmed in future stages of planning.
“A full cardiovascular surgery program at our Hospital will allow patients in Northwestern Ontario to be provided with the same quality cardiovascular care as they would in Southern Ontario, but without the added stress and expense of having to travel,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “It also enables patients living in Northwestern Ontario to receive the life-saving procedures they need in a community that is more sensitive to their needs and more familiar with their circumstances.”
The government also announced it would increase the hospital’s operating funding for the third straight year, with over $4.4 million in additional operating funding starting in 2021–22. This represents an increase of 1.8 percent to the over $244 million in funding received by the hospital in 2020–21.
The government is investing more than $21 billion in capital grants over the next 10 years for hospital projects across Ontario that will lead to $30 billion in hospital infrastructure.
Featured image: Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. (Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre)