The Province is investing $2.5 million to help support early planning for a new health hub in Simcoe County.
Premier Doug Ford made the announcement today – it will support early planning for Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s new South Campus Health Hub in Innisfil.
“This is the first step of building a new health hub to better serve the people of Simcoe County,” said Ford. “The hub will provide urgent care services and day surgeries providing faster access to procedures and relieving capacity on the hospital’s emergency department.”
The new health centre will be added to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s network to expand health care services and improve access to care for patients and families in Barrie and south Simcoe County communities as they continue to grow.
“After decades of inaction from previous governments, we are making historic investments in hospital infrastructure all across Ontario,” says Ford. “With this investment, the people and families of Simcoe County will now have access to the world-class health care that this growing community needs and deserves.”
The new South Campus is part of Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s integrated “one system; two-site” capital plan which will evolve over the next two decades to build new infrastructure and upgrade existing facilities. The South Campus is planned to be implemented in a phased manner, starting with ambulatory and urgent care services, so that patients are envisioned to have access to outpatient services closer to home, including day surgeries, minor medical procedures, treatments and diagnostic tests. The new South Campus Health Hub will also free up capacity and reduce wait times at the North Campus Emergency Department.
“Investing in Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s new South Campus builds on our government’s work to end hallway health care and ensure Ontarians have access to the care they need closer to home,” says Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment will ensure the hospital can meet the growing demands of patients in Barrie and Simcoe County so they can continue to receive high-quality care and services for generations to come.”
Earlier this year, Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing granted the Town of Innisfil Council’s request for a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) to accelerate the development of the new South Campus Health Hub on an 83-acre site in Innisfil. In partnership with local municipal councils, MZOs are an important part of the Ontario government’s toolkit to move critical local projects forward at the pace Ontarians need and deserve, such as health care facilities and housing.
“This MZO to accelerate the creation of the new South Campus Health Hub is yet another way our government is helping to get shovels in the ground for more hospitals, housing, and long-term care facilities, and build a stronger Ontario for everyone,” said Minister Clark. “We will continue to provide our municipal partners, like the Town of Innisfil, with the tools and resources they need to deliver vital projects to their community.”