Ontario Expanding Emergency Department in Kawartha Lakes

The emergency department at Ross Memorial Hospital will connect more people to emergency care closer to home

NEWSNovember 14, 2024

KAWARTHA LAKES — The Ontario government is connecting people in Kawartha Lakes to better, more convenient emergency care by renovating and expanding the emergency department at Ross Memorial Hospital to connect more people to world-class emergency care.

“Our government is addressing demand for emergency care in the Kawartha Lakes region to connect more Ontarians to timely and convenient health care options, close to home,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “The expansion of Ross Memorial Hospital’s emergency department will allow people and families to continue to access the high-quality care they need, where they need it, for years to come.”

Through this investment, Ross Memorial Hospital’s current emergency department will be renovated and expanded, including the creation of a new, state-of-the-art mental health emergency services unit. This expansion will improve patient safety and ensure the hospital is better equipped to provide timely care for mental health patients. The expansion will also include a new trauma room with improved infection control measures to provide emergency department staff with additional space to treat patients requiring urgent lifesaving care.

As a next step, the ministry is working with Ross Memorial Hospital to complete early planning and design for this project. A construction schedule will be confirmed once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded.

“This investment in the Ross Memorial Emergency Department will provide much-needed support to enhance trauma services and mental health care for our community,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “The Government is excited to continue uplifting our hospitals and healthcare workers by building on our existing investments to improve the accessibility and quality of care in our province.”

Through Your Health: A Plan For Connected and Convenient Care, Ontario is making it easier and faster for people of all ages to connect to the care they need, closer to home.

QUICK FACTS

  • Ross Memorial Hospital provides care for over 80,000 local residents and 35,000 seasonal visitors.
  • Over the next 10 years, Ontario’s investments will lead to nearly $50 billion in health infrastructure across the province, building 3,000 new beds in addition to over 3,500 critical care, acute and post-acute beds our government has added since 2020.
  • The Ontario government is investing more than $228 million this year to support critical infrastructure upgrades and repairs at 129 hospitals and 58 community health care facilities across the province, a 10 percent increase from last year.
  • Some previous Provincial investments at Ross Memorial Hospital include:
    • $2.3 million for window replacements
    • $4 million to increase surgical capacity
    • $2.6 million annually for patient beds
    • $13 million to replace critical infrastructure for a new boiler system

QUOTES

“Ross Memorial Hospital is appreciative of the Ontario government and MPP Laurie Scott for sharing in our commitment to meet the growing demands on the healthcare services our community relies on. The commitment announced today is essential to supporting our dedicated team and hospital’s mission to deliver on the promise of a better healthcare experience.”

–     Christine Norris Board of Directors Chair, Ross Memorial Hospital

“Expanding our emergency care capacity is a key component of Ross Memorial Hospital’s plan to meet the ever-increasing service demands of our growing population. With close to 35,000 patients attending our Emergency Department in the last year, enhanced and expanded emergency facilities will play a crucial role in meeting our community’s needs.”

–                                                       Kelly Isfan CEO and President, Ross Memorial Hospital

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

MEDIA CONTACTS  
Hannah Jensen Minister Jones’ Office Hannah.R.Jensen@ontario.ca   Media Relations Communications Branch media.moh@ontario.ca
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