Ontario Government Announces Major Health Care Expansion

OSHAWA — In a landmark move to enhance health care services across Durham Region, the Ontario government has announced a comprehensive multi-phase redevelopment plan aimed at expanding and modernizing Lakeridge Health’s hospital campuses. The initiative, supported by over $12 million in capital planning grants, seeks to address the growing needs of the region’s population, promising a significant boost to local health care infrastructure.

Premier Doug Ford highlighted the critical nature of these investments, stating, “Our government is investing to ensure that people in the growing communities of Durham have access to the convenient care they need, close to home. These investments will support the development of a robust health care system for all of Durham Region that puts people at the centre of care.”

It’s an exciting day for Durham Region!

Wonderful to be at Lakeridge Health with @fordnation to announce our government’s investments across the Durham region that will ensure people can access the care they need, when and where they need it, for years to come. pic.twitter.com/3SQiDp1XPt

— Sylvia Jones (@SylviaJonesMPP) August 1, 2024

The redevelopment will see Lakeridge Health’s services enhanced through the addition of 300 new hospital beds and various infrastructure upgrades. Key projects under this plan include:

Bowmanville Hospital: The facility will double its capacity, adding 32 new beds and constructing state-of-the-art facilities to expand inpatient and ambulatory care services as well as the emergency department.
Whitby: A new hospital is set to be built to improve access to fast and convenient care for residents.
Pickering: A new post-acute care centre will be established to connect patients and their families to vital rehabilitation and recovery supports.
Oshawa: The existing site will see increased acute care capacity by relocating some services to the new post-acute care centre in Pickering.
Ajax Pickering Hospital: Future phases of the plan include expanding this facility to provide more clinical and support services.

The precise distribution of the new beds across the various sites will be determined during the ongoing planning process. The initiative is expected to significantly bolster Lakeridge Health’s ability to serve more than 700,000 residents through its network of five hospitals and over 20 community health centres in Durham Region.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones, underscored the government’s commitment to building a resilient health care system: “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is making record investments to build a health care system that lasts, connecting more people in Durham Region and across Ontario to the care they need, when they need it. We will continue to take bold, decisive action to expand capacity and build modern, state-of-the-art facilities across the province to reduce wait times and ensure people of all ages can access fast, convenient care, close to home.”

This redevelopment effort aligns with the Ontario government’s broader health strategy, “Your Health: A Plan For Connected and Convenient Care,” which aims to streamline access to health services, reduce wait lists and wait times, and build new hospitals across the province.

Residents of Durham Region can look forward to a more connected and efficient health care system that promises to meet their needs for decades to come, reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring high-quality, accessible health care for all.

GTA Today will continue to provide updates on this major health care development as new details emerge and construction progresses. Stay tuned for more information on how these changes will impact your community.