Trillium In The News

Mississauga Business Times

Queen’s Park pours millions into Trillium’s expansion plan

June 2003

A pre-election gift? Or simply helping a hospital meet its growing needs? Whatever, the Trillium Health Centre kicked off a new expansion program for its Mississauga site last month with the announcement of a fundraising campaign and a major contribution by the Ontario government. Mississauga residents will benefit from better access to hospital services as the Ernie Eves government is providing a $42 million increase in capital funding toward the expansion and renovation of the Trillium Health Centre, Health and Long-Term Care Minister Tony Clement (MPP Brampton West-Mississauga) said in a news conference at the hospital also attended by local MPPs Margaret Marland and Carl DeFaria.

“The Eves government is committed to improving access and enhancing services for better patient care in Mississauga and surrounding areas,” Clement said. “The expanded hospital will strengthen and ensure the delivery of quality health services including acute care, cardiac care, mental health and rehabilitation.”

Clement’s announcement brings the ministry’s total contribution to $82.9 million, toward a total project cost of $151.9 million. The $82.9 million in the capital funding will be used toward the expansion of acute care, mental health and rehabilitation services, a new cardiac catheterization lab, and additional critical care beds at the Trillium Health Centre’s Mississauga site. Funding will also go toward upgrading and converting the facilities at the Queensway site to provide services to the patients on an outpatient basis including relocation of the Ambulatory Cancer Detection and Treatment service from the Mississauga site.

Expansion plans at the Mississauga site include construction of a new patient tower wit 127 acute care beds, a new cardiac catheterization laboratory, a new cardiac surgery operating room and the redevelopment of the fracture clinic.

Gay Mitchell, executive vice-president, RBC Royal Bank Ontario, will chair the $30 million Trillium Capital Campaign to raise money from the private sector, assisted by co-chairs Hazel McCallion and Harold Shipp.

“We have identified 13 critical projects which, when completed, will take Trillium Health Centre to the next level of excellence and reduce waiting lists,” said Mitchell. “My family and I live in this community and we depend on Trillium for our health care. I am delighted to be part of the Capital Campaign.”

The planning for the redeveloped hospital sites follows the directions of the Health Services Restructuring Commission. Trillium currently has an annual operating budget of $300 million, 600 physicians, 3500 staff members, 1200 volunteers and 800 beds. It’s the only hospital in Canada with a full-service neurosurgery department.

Ken White, president and CEO of Trillium Health Centre, called the announcement of the Ontario government capital funding wonderful news and an investment that will benefit the whole province.

“Our ability to meet the healthcare demands of our growing and aging community rests largely with having the physical facilities and infrastructure within which to deliver the services needed,” he said. “Through this funding, the government has demonstrated a clear understanding of the urgency of our communities’ needs. We are extremely thankful that we can now move forward with major capital redevelopment at both our Mississauga and Etobicoke sites.”

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