New Healthcare Facility to Enhance Services for Francophone Community in Timmins
Timmins, Ontario – In a significant development aimed at bolstering healthcare accessibility for the Francophone community in Timmins and its surrounding areas, the Ontario government has announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art health care facility. The Centre de santé communautaire de Timmins (CSC Timmins) is set to receive a substantial investment of $15.6 million for the construction of this much-needed facility, in addition to $1.1 million earmarked for early planning work.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, underscores the government’s commitment to providing culturally appropriate care closer to home. Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, emphasized the importance of connecting Ontarians to convenient care, stating, “The new Centre de santé communautaire de Timmins facility will connect the Francophone community in the region to comprehensive and culturally appropriate health care services they need in one modern location, for years to come.”
I attended the ground-breaking ceremony today for the new Centre de santé Communautaire (CSC) in #Timmins.
With this $17M investment from our government, @CscTimmins can now provide extra programs & services to better serve our #Francophone community in Timmins, #Ontario. pic.twitter.com/K2a1D6kdPU
— George Pirie (@GeorgePirieMPP) May 23, 2024
Currently operating across two temporary locations, CSC Timmins offers a range of programs and services including primary care, mental health and addictions support, and early childhood and chronic disease services. With the construction of the new facility, these services will be consolidated into one convenient location, enhancing efficiency and accessibility for patients.
The new CSC Timmins is projected to accommodate approximately 18,000 primary care visits annually and connect up to 20,000 individuals to the center’s comprehensive health programs each year. Moreover, the facility will serve as a training ground for medical students, providing them with hands-on practical experience under the supervision of experienced physicians.
Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs, expressed pride in the government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare services in French, stating, “Our government recognizes how important it is for Francophones to have access to quality health services in French. It allows them to actively contribute to the social, cultural and economic prosperity of the entire province.”
Local representatives also lauded the investment, with George Pirie, MPP for Timmins, stating, “Our government’s nearly $17 million investment in Centre de santé Communautaire Timmins will help create new spaces to accommodate a multitude of health care services in a state-of-the-art facility. This is great news for our local Francophone community to have healthcare services available in French for generations to come.”
The establishment of this new healthcare facility aligns with Ontario’s broader plan to enhance healthcare infrastructure and improve access to quality care for residents across the province. With construction set to commence, the new CSC Timmins represents a significant step forward in ensuring equitable healthcare access for the Francophone community in Timmins and beyond.
