Ontario invests $3.6M for expansion in Headwaters emergency department

With the efficacy of regional health care remaining under the spotlight, Ontario’s deputy premier and health minister was in Orangeville on Thursday, announcing the renovation and expansion of the emergency department at Headwaters Health Care Centre.

Minister Silvia Jones said the project would increase the hospital’s patient capacity and quality of care.

“Our government is continuing to build on our progress to connect more families in our community to the care they need,” said Jones in her announcement speech. “These departments will be renovated, modernized and expanded to increase patient capacity, enhance patient experience and ensure the hospital is better equipped to deliver state of the art care.”

The project will happen with $3.6 million in funding from the province.

However, the Headwaters emergency department has closed on multiple occasions due to staffing shortages.

When CTV News asked about whether the expansion would be enough to prevent future closures, Jones said: “We’ve put in place some additional supports to ensure that hospitals have the necessary supports they need. Our numbers show that the need for temporary closures has decreased almost over 50 per cent.”

According to Annette Jones, Headwaters vice president, patient experience and CNE, more than 36,000 patients visit the emergency department each year, nearly 56 per cent more than the 23,000 annual visits it was originally designed to handle.

“Improving patient flow, decreasing wait times, optimizing the existing physical space, and most importantly, enhancing the patient and family experience,” said Jones about how the expansion will improve the emergency department’s delivery of care.

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The province has also previously helped Headwaters renovate its X-ray diagnostics and add a new CT machine.

Local leaders said Thursday’s announcement is a step in the right direction.

“Everyone’s concerned about health care, of course,” said Dave Sheen, Ward 2 councillor for the Town of Caledon. “I think this improved emergency department will definitely impact wait times for patients from Caledon and Orangeville and the surrounding area.”

“I think the province has stepped up, and they’re doing quite a bit to support not only our frontline workers, but the system in general,” said Gary Staples, Dufferin County Paramedic Services chief. “Is there more that can be done? There always can be. But with the resources being provided, we’re ensuring that we’re providing our community with the best care possible.”

The emergency department expansion will enter the planning phase beginning with the tender and bid process, which means details such as design and square footage will be determined over the next few months.