PRHC Receives New MRI Machine and Critical Infrastructure Upgrades

A new MRI machine is being invested into the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) from the Ontario Government to address wait times for diagnostic imaging announced Wednesday.

Photo Courtesy of PRHC.

A payment of $101,023 from the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund will support upgrades and repairs to emergency infrastructure.

“This new MRI machine will save thousands of trips to other communities each year with local residents being able to access this health service right here in Peterborough,” said MPP Dave Smith. “Fewer trips for families to Toronto or Kingston for health care saves money in gas and meals while reducing travel time and the impact on the environment.”

Over the last 10 years, the demand for MRI services has increased on average by approximately four per cent annually and wait times have got longer with 54 per cent of cases completed within target wait times in 2013-14 to 39 per cent of cases completed within target in 2019-2020.

“Since 2017, the demand for MRI services at PRHC has continued to increase. In fact, outpatient MRI requests have increased 53% from 2017 to 2021. The addition of a second MRI at PRHC will not only improve access to care closer to home for our patients, it will decrease wait times and offer modern, leading-edge MRI technology for patients in our community and region,” said Dr. Peter McLaughlin, PRHC President and CEO, PRHC. “I am thrilled that PRHC is among those hospitals across Ontario to receive funding for a new MRI machine as part of this investment.”

This new investment brings additional MRI service to Peterborough making it easier for patients to receive the care they need closer to home. It is part of the government’s $30 million investment in the 2021 Budget to support MRI services for patients and add new MRI machines to hospitals across the province.

“Our government made a commitment to end hallway health care, and that includes ensuring that patients have access to high-quality MRI services,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By providing hospitals with annual investments to support net new MRI machines, our government is helping to ensure that these vital services are available patients now and in the future.”

The Ontario Government is investing up to $324 million in new funding to enable Ontario’s hospitals and community health sector to perform more surgeries, MRI and CT scans and procedures including on evenings and weekends according to the press release.

The 2021 Budget, Ontario's Action Plan: Protecting People's Health and Our Economy, outlined a total of $1.8 billion in additional investments for hospitals in 2021-22.

This includes funding to create more than 3,100 additional hospital beds to increase capacity. There is an increase of $778 million in operating funding to ensure all publicly funded hospitals will receive a minimum one per cent increase to help them keep pace with patient needs and to increase access to high-quality care for patients and families across Ontario as stated in the press release.

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Ontario Government Invests $375,000 Into Hospice Peterborough For COVID-19 Relief

Hospice Peterborough gets a $375,000 boost from the Ontario Government to offset any costs incurred from the COVID-19 pandemic announced on Tuesday.

Hajni Hős, Hospice Peterborough Executive Director (left) with MPP Dave Smith (right) in front of Hospice Peterborough on London Street. Since 2018, the Ontario government has invested $40 million to add over 200 new hospice beds in Ontario for over 7,000 additional patients annually. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The money given is a 36 per cent increase from last year and brings their 2021-2022 funding to $1,425,000. During the COVID-19 pandemic, residential hospices experienced a decrease in community donations which are used to help support day-to-day operations as stated in the press release.

This capital investment is part of Ontario’s $23 million to help residential hospices across the province provide high-quality, compassionate end-of-life services and care to people and their loved ones.

This new investment is in addition to the province’s annual investment of over $74 million per year in palliative care.

“Hospice Peterborough will continue to provide high-quality, compassionate, end-of-life care to meet the needs of our clients, their families and caregivers in our community,” says Hajni Hős, Hospice Peterborough Executive Director.

As Ontario’s plan to end hallway health care, the government is investing $23 million to help residential hospices across the province provide high-quality, compassionate end-of-life services and care to people and their loved ones.

This investment is one factor in an integrated approach to reduce silos in health care and create a seamless, patient-centred system according to the press release.

“There’s no question Hospice Peterborough has felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; community events to raise capital and support programming was cancelled,” said MPP Dave Smith. “This boost in funding will help them reorient, plan for the future and deliver the best care for patients.”

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Local Organizations Receive Vital Community Grants to Combat COVID-19 Inequality

The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough (CFGP) announced on Tuesday that Vital Community Grants totaling $90,000 will go to nine local organizations whose work focuses on supporting equity-deserving people who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo courtesy of The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough.

This year’s Vital Community Grants theme was an “Equitable COVID-19 Recovery”.

CFGP notes that some people have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 relative to others. Indigenous people, women, youth, people with disabilities and others facing systemic inequality have experienced a heightened chance of exposure to the virus, social isolation, lack of access to food, services and education, worse health outcomes, and adverse financial repercussions.

Nine local charities led by, serving and focused on equity deserving groups were invited to a participatory granting circle to discuss their applications and allocate the available funds. Participatory grantmaking is a decision-making process that invites those who are most knowledgeable about an issue to identify priorities and direct the available funds.

The recipients of 2021 Vital Community Grants are:

Heads Up for Inclusion

To support the Community Amigos Program by providing space for connection to reduce social isolation for people living with disabilities

Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation

To support programs for in-care youth transitioning to independent living

Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle

To reverse the damage that was caused by residential schools and the pandemic by bringing in Elders and Traditional Knowledge Holders as well as language speakers

Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN)

To assist in the reduction of financial and socio-economic barriers to people needing to engage in PARN’s programs and services

The Council for Persons with Disabilities

To engage more young people living with disabilities

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough

To launch and support a group counselling program that supports mothers and birthing parents who have lost custody of their children

TRACKS Youth Program (Trent Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Science)

To provide resources, workshops and activities to Indigenous youth living in the seven Williams Treaties First Nations in Ontario at no cost

YES Shelter for Youth and Families

To support the RISE Youth Housing program that helps youth between 16 and 24 resolve homelessness and find stability 

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton – Nourish Project

To support its civic literacy work including programs like Hungry for Income, a food insecurity training series

Donations to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund are still being accepted by the Community Foundation and will continue to be used to support charities with their pandemic recovery work https://cfgp.ca/project/covid/.

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Ontario Government Invests Over $5 Million In Rural Townships For Infrastructure

The Ontario Government has given over $5 million to five townships in the Peterborough-Kawartha area for infrastructure announced at the Millennium Gardens in Douro-Dummer on Wednesday.

(left to right) MPP Dave Smith; Andy Mitchell, Selwyn mayor; Janet Clarkson, Trent Lakes mayor; Jim Martin, Havelock Belmont Methuen mayor and Warden J. Murray Jones under the gazebo at Millennium Gardens. Smith says it takes $1.2 million to pave one kilometre of a road. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The mons is part of the 2022 funding allocations under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), the province’s main general assistance grant to municipalities.

“Our local municipalities provide the on-the-ground services we rely on; roads, bridges, wastewater infrastructure, maintenance and affordable housing,” said MPP Dave Smith. “This stable source of funding, increased again this year, provides our local rural communities the opportunity to finance critical infrastructure and keep property taxes under control.”

“This OMPF funding is nothing but good news for the townships in Peterborough County. It is very much appreciated and is critical for the everyday things we need to accomplish. It is truly a partnership,” said Warden J. Murray Jones, Douro-Dummer mayor.

"We are pleased that the Province is continuing with this important program to assist Municipalities. The funding for Selwyn of $1,068,400 will assist our community to move forward on our capital programs and to assist with targeted operational budgets,” said Andy Mitchell, Selwyn mayor.

Each township has yet to fully discuss where the money will be going except for Trent Lakes where the funds will be used to redo their public works buildings said Janet Clarkson, Trent Lakes mayor.

“This is going to be a long way toward taking the pressure off that and any of this money helps the municipalities move forward without borrowing money,” she said.

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Peterborough Museum and Archives Receives Grant From Canadian Heritage

The Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA) has been awarded a grant of $6,500 by the Department of Canadian Heritage.

The grant was provided through the Museums Assistance Program Exhibition Circulation Fund, in support of the of The Ones We Met: Inuit Traditional Knowledge and the Franklin Expedition, currently on display until Dec. 5.

This exhibition, produced by the Canadian Museum of History in partnership with the Inuit Heritage Trust, explores the role of Inuit oral history in solving the mystery of the Franklin expedition.

“The Ones We Met” features photographs, illustrations and an animated map of routes chartered by Europeans looking for a northwest passage 350 years before Franklin’s expedition. Visitors can also listen to recordings of the late Inuit historian Louie Kamookak, including his reflections on the ongoing importance of oral histories.

“An important part of the PMA’s mandate is to present exhibitions that are of interest to our community. Funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage allows us to share Canadian and globally relevant stories with visitors of all ages,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, Council representative on the Museum and Archives Advisory Committee.

Visit www.peterborough.ca/museum to learn more.

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Ontario Invests Millions In Staff For Long-Term Care Homes

The Ontario Government will provide up to $270 million this year to long-term care homes across the province to increase staffing levels, leading to more direct care for residents announced by MPP Dave Smith at Fairhaven Home on Wednesday.

(left to right) MPP Dave Smith; Mary Anne Greco, Riverview Manor Administrator; Carol Rodd, CEO St Joseph’s at Fleming; Dawn Baldwin, Extendicare administrator and Lionel Towns, Fairhaven Executive Director. Each member made speeches regarding the government funding for more healthcare staff. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This includes $3,120,446 for long-term care homes in Peterborough-Kawartha this year. By 2024, the total average increase of permanent annualized funding for long-term care homes in Peterborough-Kawartha will be $18,043,200 more than what they would receive.

This is part of the province’s commitment to ensure long-term care residents receive — on average — four hours of direct care per day by 2024-25.

It was also announced that as part of the government’s plan to fix long-term care, it will bring forward legislation that will enshrine its commitment to four hours of care into law.

“For too long, governments of all stripes have neglected and underfunded our long-term care system. We have now seen all too painfully the results of that inaction,” said Smith. “Today, that changes. $18,043,200 more in annual funding will hire thousands of new nurses, personal support workers, attendants and physiotherapists for homes across our community. Our seniors will see four hours of direct care every day by our hardworking health care professionals.”

These funds will increase care for residents at: 

• Extendicare Inc., in Lakefield, will receive up to $356,212 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $2,181,756 annually more than their current funding.  Extendicare Inc., in Peterborough, will receive up to $619,816 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $3,796,272 annually more than their current funding. 

• Fairhaven, in Peterborough, will receive up to $911,908 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $5,585,316 annually more than their current funding. 

• Riverview Manor Nursing Home, in Peterborough, will receive up to $345,530 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $2,116,320 annually more than their current funding. 

• St. Joseph’s at Fleming, in Peterborough, will receive up to $712,434 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $4,363,536 annually more than their current funding.

“We know that more qualified staff means more daily care for residents,” said Rod Phillips, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Hiring more staff is part of our government’s plan to fix long-term care and to improve the quality of care residents receive and the quality of life they experience.”

“This historic commitment of funding will have transformative effects on the care provided in Homes, and on the working conditions of our direct care staff,” said Lionel Towns, Executive Director of Fairhaven Long-Term Care Home.

“Our residents, their families, and our entire care team are pleased with the Ontario Government’s commitment to increase funding for Long Term Care. This funding will support a staffing model that will allow an increase in direct care time for each of our residents,” said Carol Rodd, CEO of St. Joseph’s at Fleming.

“Extendicare applauds the Ontario government for taking action on the long-standing staffing challenges that the long-term care sector has been confronting for many years,” said Dawn Baldwin, Administrator at Extendicare Lakefield. “Residents’ care needs have become increasingly complex, and this path to continued funding increases will make a real difference in delivery of safe, quality care for those we serve.”

“OMNI Health Care-Riverview Manor is thankful for the Government’s significant announcement of a $345,530 enhancement to our nursing & personal care funding for the remainder of 2021, and additional funding of $2,116,320 annually by 2024-2025. All of the funding is to be spent directly on nursing, personal care and programs, with any surplus returned to government,” said Mary Anne Greco, Administrator of Riverview Manor Nursing Home.

Residents receive an average of two hours and 45 minutes of direct care from nurses and personal support workers. This funding will increase the daily average to three hours, per resident per day by the end of this fiscal year. This funding also includes $42.8M to homes to increase care by allied health care professionals (such as physiotherapists and social workers) by 10 per cent this year.

The government is investing $4.9 billion over four years to boost direct resident care to an average of four hours daily by increasing care staff by more than 27,000 people. Hiring thousands of new staff at long-term homes and increasing the amount of care they deliver each year will be made possible by annual funding increases to homes: 

• $270 million in 2021-22 

• $673 million in 2022-23 

• $1.25 billion in 2023-24 

• $1.82 billion in 2024-25

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his government introduced and had Bill 124 passed in 2019. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

During the announcements, several healthcare workers — mostly from St. Joseph’s — were present to support Rodd. They voiced their opinions to Smith after the media conference concerning Bill 124 if he would support the repeal.

The Bill caps wage increases to a maximum of one per cent total compensation for three years to healthcare workers.

"We just have to keep pushing forward,” said Rodd. “I think the government is doing the right things, right now. I think they are making the right moves. Giving more money to our sector is a big help. We can't thank our healthcare workers enough.”

Smith remarked that the announcements today have nothing to do Bill 124 and are focused on “increasing the amount of care for seniors.” He spoke with the concerned healthcare workers after the proceedings.

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