Blackburn News PhotoBlackburn News Photo
Sarnia

Bluewater Health Gets $4M Funding Boost

Bluewater Health expects to balance its budget this year and increase services thanks to a $4.1-million funding boost from the province.

The Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network says the additional money is part of a 3.1% increase in Ontario hospital funding in the 2017 provincial budget.

Bluewater Health President and CEO Mike Lapaine appreciates the relief after several years of funding reductions and says he's pleased the health ministry recognized the pressure hospitals are under.

"Some of this money was expected through the funding formula," says Lapaine. "The additional money we've received, via the budget, puts us back into a balanced position for this year."

Lapaine says the hospital has every intention of fulfilling conditions attached to some of the funds.

"In other words, expansion of services. Specifically, in our case, for hip and knee replacements," says Lapaine. "So, to qualify for all of this money we have to ensure that we actually do all of the hip and knee replacements."

He says Bluewater Health's wait times for hip and knee replacements and MRIs are pretty good.

"We are committed to maintaining good wait times," says Lapaine. "In the case of MRI, additional hours will probably be added and for hip and knees we will work with our current complement of staffing, but it just ensures that we maintain full flow through the operating rooms this year."

The funds increase the hospital's ministry-based funding this year to nearly $140-million.

Read More Local Stories