RMH to receive 5 per cent increase in funding from province

Ross Memorial Hospital will higher annualized funding, according to a press release from the province.

“This investment provides a five per cent increase of over $3.7 million in funding for Ross Memorial Hospital and a two per cent increase of more than $199,000 for Haliburton Highlands Health Services Corporation,” says MPP Laurie Scott in the release.

“I’m delighted to announce this increase in annualized funding for our local hospitals. This investment helps to solidify the care our community deserves,” she says.

“We are grateful for the Ontario government’s funding increase, which will support us in providing the care our community needs, as well as enabling our continued response to the pandemic,” says Kelly Isfan, president and CEO, Ross Memorial Hospital.

The hospital investment takes into consideration incremental growth to support flexibility, annualizing 2019/20 in-year investments, and ensuring all publicly funded hospitals receive an increase of no less than one per cent.

The release says the increase is part of the Ontario government’s response to COVID-19, which includes an increase of $935 million in new investments for Ontario hospitals this year.

As part of that funding, $594 million will support hospitals as they meet current and future demands for regular services. This represents an overall increase in funding to the hospital sector of approximately three per cent.

To provide continued financial stability and relief, the release says the province has annualized the $68 million investment from 2019/20 for both small and medium sized hospitals as part of this funding.