Niagara Health has been handed a significant funding boost by the provincial government.

Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff was on hand to deliver a cheque worth more than $53 million to the hospital operator on September 29. The money will be used to help cover working funds deficits at Niagara Health, and to address critical upgrades, repairs and maintenance at Niagara Health and Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre.

Under the funding Niagara Health will receive $1,411,837, while Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre will receive $1,208,524 in the 21-22 fiscal year through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund.

The funding will help hospitals address urgent issues such as upgrades or replacement of roofs, windows, security systems, backup generators and fire alarms. Projects will also support the hospitals in their ongoing response to COVID-19, such as updating HVAC systems to enhance patient and staff safety, creating additional isolation space and negative air pressure flow rooms to increase capacity and enhancing infection prevention and control measures.

"These key investments at Niagara Health and Hotel Dieu Shaver demonstrate the commitment of our government to local health care and hospital infrastructure in Niagara," said Oosterhoff. "The provincial funding supports also include West Lincoln Memorial Hospital in West Niagara through additional funds allocated to Hamilton Health Sciences."

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario's government has been working with its hospital partners to create unprecedented capacity and be ready to respond to any scenario. The government remains committed to supporting hospitals so that they can continue to care for Ontarians today and in the future.

"We are incredibly grateful to the Province of Ontario for its generous investments and support of high-quality healthcare here in Niagara," said Lynn Guerriero, President and CEO, Niagara Health. "The working fund investment for Niagara Health that was announced today is unprecedented and will have a profound impact on our financial sustainability. Additionally, the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund will be critical in ensuring our facilities stay up to date and enable us to continue providing extraordinary care."

To help strengthen the financial stability of public hospitals, the province will provide up to $696.6 million this year to help cover historic working funds deficits of qualifying hospitals, with a focus on small, medium, and specialty and rehabilitation hospitals.

The money is a part of an investment of more than $1.2 billion the province previously announced to help hospitals recover from financial pressures created and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Featured image: Sam Oosterhoff announced funding of $53 million for Niagara Health. (Niagara Health Twitter)