Bluewater Health is getting nearly $1.2 million in annual funding from the provincial government.
The money is from the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund, which is distributing $175 million among 128 Ontario hospitals.
Bluewater Health CEO Mike Lapaine said while the money will be put to good use, the Petrolia CEE Hospital still needs more money for repairs.
He said back in the fall, they requested $5 million from the province to help address those needs.
"What we were looking for there is some exceptional circumstance funding for the Petrolia site. There are much more repairs and upgrades that are required out at the CEE Hospital," said Lapaine. "So what this amount is, it's very similar and it's probably the allotment that was set up quite some time ago for us for our annual allotment-- but we're continuing to work with both Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey and the provincial health ministry to get the exceptional circumstances funding for Petrolia."
Lapaine said their allocation for the $1.2 million will be split between the Sarnia and Petrolia sites.
"I'd say about half of that amount is going to Petrolia and much of it is around infrastructure -- we're paying for some engineering on the mechanical and electrical systems out there, and we're replacing some sanitary sewers, these types of things," said Lapaine.
MPP Bailey said they're working on an ongoing basis for continued funding for both sites, referring to the $1.2 million as the first down payment.
He said this money is a good start.
"It's a fund that goes back to about 1999 to help upgrade and maintain facilities. I think these funds will help the Petrolia hospital continue the longevity they have," said Bailey. "They service some 22,000 people a year for emergency visits to these emergency rooms, so this will help continue that and it will continue to keep that a viable site. It will be there for rural healthcare, and it will be there to backfill for Sarnia when they're busy."
Three hospitals in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex also received funding.
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP and Infrastructure Minister Monte McNaughton announced Wednesday that Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital has been awarded nearly $3.3 million, $1.8 million is being split between the Chatham and Wallaceburg sites, and Four Counties Hospital in Newbury receives almost $600,000.
https://twitter.com/MonteMcNaughton/status/1088121250470391809