HAMILTON –  Hamilton hospitals are receiving a combined total of $2,280,407 for the reimbursement of capital expenses related to COVID-19, Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MPP Neil Lumsden and Flamborough-Glanbrook MPP Donna Skelly announced today.

Hamilton Health Sciences is receiving $1,593,971 and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is receiving $686,436. The funding is a direct reimbursement of incremental capital expenses related to the hospitals’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic focusing on efficient and effective program and service delivery and the quality of patient care.

“This investment supports the delivery of excellent health care to the people of Hamilton by improving infrastructure, access to care and protecting our universal public health care system,” said Lumsden. “This capital funding supports our government’s work to ensure hospitals can deliver safe responsive care to meet evolving health care needs.”

“Our government continues to make the necessary investments to support our hospitals as they respond to the pressures caused by the pandemic,” said Donna Skelly, MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook. “We are committed to working with our healthcare partners and we will deliver on our promise to end hallway healthcare.”

The funding ensures that hospitals are reimbursed for capital incremental expenses associated with critical medical equipment, critical laboratory equipment, construction modifications, and I&IT/communications.

“Hamilton Health Sciences welcomes this reimbursement from the Government of Ontario to address the additional pressures on our hospital as a result of the pandemic,” said Rob MacIsaac,

President and CEO. “Over the past three years, our staff and doctors have cared for more patients than ever before. They ensured that those with COVID-19 as well as all other patients were able to access care in our community. We thank them for their dedication and ongoing efforts to serve all patients.”

“St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton has continued to invest significant resources this year on equipment and facility costs related to COVID 19,” said John Aldis, Senior Vice President, Finance & Corporate Services, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. “We are very grateful for the government’s ongoing financial support for these capital expenses, which helps keep our patients, visitors, and staff safe, while we continue to ramp up services to meet the health needs of our communities.”