An extra injection of provincial dollars will help local hospitals pay for on-call funding for doctors working after hours.
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers said $3,215,962 in funding means patients will get the timely local hospital care they need.
After hours funding for Grey Bruce Health Services has been increased by over $96,896. In all, Owen Sound will be able to use up to $2,356,948. Lions Head Hospital will have $112,734 available. And Hanover Hospital gets an extra $218,013, meaning they are eligible for up to $746,280.
“Grey Bruce Health Services is grateful to receive ongoing Hospital On-Call Coverage (HOCC) Program funding for physicians and specialists, as this helps to stabilize coverage needs,” said Grey Bruce Health Services President and CEO Gary Sims. “We welcome further negotiations to strengthen physician commitment to the healthcare system.”
"This funding will be a tremendous support to both our physicians and our patients. We are so appreciated to receive additional dollars that are dedicated to support the on-call work of our physicians; on-call availability is a vital to ensuring that patients get the care they need at the right time, and at the right place,” said Hanover Hospital President and CEO, Dana Howes.
In all, the province is providing dedicated funding for physicians on-call for about 100 acute-care hospitals, with a goal to provide more stable after-hours coverage.
“Our government is ensuring hospitals have the funds needed so that their doctors can deliver high-quality care at any time of the day or night” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “For patients visiting hospitals across Ontario, this funding means they’ll receive the care they need when it is needed.”