NEWS RELEASE
SOUTHLAKE REGIONAL HEALTH CENTRE FOUNDATION
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County of Simcoe Warden George Cornell and Deputy Warden Lynn Dollin announced an investment of $1,244,650 in Southlake Regional Health Centre today. The investment is part of a $45 million commitment over 15 years that Simcoe County has made to seven hospitals that care for Simcoe County residents.
The funds are supporting the creation of Southlake’s new Emergent Mental Health Assessment Unit, a 12-bed expansion to our Adult Inpatient Mental Health Unit, and the revitalization of existing spaces to provide an outdoor patio for patients.
With a third of Ontario’s group homes in York Region – eight within walking distance of the hospital – Southlake sees a disproportionately high number of Ontarians seeking mental health care. These critically important expansions to our Mental Health Program help to bridge the gap between community- and hospital-based services and better integrate care in southern Simcoe County.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increasing demand on hospital care, frontline healthcare services and essential healthcare workers,” said County of Simcoe Warden George Cornell. “The County’s longstanding investment in area hospitals is more important than ever, as we continue to work collaboratively to improve physical, social and psychological supports for our residents.
"We are pleased to provide this investment of over $1.2 million towards Southlake to help support the increasing number of hospital visits relating to mental health. We know that this facility will be a regional asset and provide a safe space for residents of south Simcoe to receive the care they need," said Cornell.
This $1.2 million investment, coupled with the contribution of $164,000 received last year, brings the total contribution for mental health care to $1,410,650.
The County of Simcoe is investing a total of $2.7 million in Southlake as part of its 15-year, $45 million commitment. In total, $107 million has been committed over a 37-year period (1994-2031) to support the seven area hospitals that make up the Simcoe County Hospital Alliance.
“The County of Simcoe’s continued investment in Southlake shows a commitment to improving healthcare services for residents and creating a healthier community overall,” said Arden Krystal, President and CEO, Southlake Regional Health Centre. “This latest investment supports a more patient-centred and healing environment for those seeking urgent mental health care at Southlake. As the healthcare system becomes more integrated, we will continue to forge more and deeper partnerships like the one we have with the County.”
While the Ministry of Health funds most of a hospital’s operational cost, it does not cover all of the costs of renovations nor equipment costs. To continue to modernize and expand services, Southlake relies on the generosity of the community through donations and investments, such as this one, from other levels of government.
To cover the costs of our broader mental health program expansion that the Ministry of Health does not fund, last fall Southlake launched .Better Begins Today, our campaign to transform mental health care at Southlake Regional Health Centre.
We still have to raise a critical $1.3 million to build spaces that heal. To learn more about Southlake’s Mental Health Campaign, .Better Begins Today, and to make a donation please visit southlake.ca/better.
About Southlake
Southlake is building healthy communities through outstanding care, innovative partnerships, and amazing people. We deliver a wide range of healthcare services to the communities of northern York Region and southern Simcoe County. Our advanced regional programs include Cancer Care and Cardiac Care and serve a broader population across the northern GTA and into Simcoe-Muskoka.
Our team of 3,400 staff, 630 physicians, 780 volunteers, 950 students and 90 Patient and Family Advisors are committed to creating an environment where the best experiences happen. As a recognition of our commitment to quality and patient safety, we have received the highest distinction of Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada.
With an annual operating budget of over $500 million, we care for one of Ontario’s most rapidly growing and aging populations and have developed an exciting plan for new facilities to serve our communities into the future. A member of the Southlake Community Ontario Health Team, we are working with our partners to deliver connected care to northern York Region and southern Simcoe County.
Southlake is supported by the communities we serve. To donate, please visit southlake.ca/foundation.
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