North York General Hospital - Funding Announcement

Funding Announcement Will Improve Patient Safety at North York General Hospital

Toronto, August 25, 2011 — Members of Provincial Parliament announced a capital investment to create an upgraded inpatient unit made up of a mix of single and isolation rooms at North York General Hospital (NYGH) today. The new unit -- anticipated to open in 2013 -- will improve patient safety and the patient experience in one of the country's busiest community hospitals.

"This is an important investment for residents of Toronto who rely on the high quality of health care services provided by North York General Hospital," said Kathleen Wynne, MPP Don Valley West. "The expansion will help to make our health care system more sustainable for years to come for those who need it most."

"I know how important this expansion is to the people of this community and I'm proud to see it move forward. For area residents, this redevelopment means faster and easier access to high quality health care services much closer to home," said Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

The new unit, located on the seventh and eighth floors of North York General's South East Tower, will be designed to support the best practices in patient centred-care. An increase in the proportion of single-patient rooms in the hospital will result in greater flexibility and improved patient flow. It will also afford patients more privacy for themselves and their visiting family and friends.

"This new unit will help us better accommodate the specific needs of our patients," says Dr. Tim Rutledge, President and CEO of NYGH. "By investing in a state-of-the-art inpatient unit, the government of Ontario is enabling us to optimize the care and experience we are able to provide for our patients and their families. We are grateful for their ongoing support and commitment to our hospital and the health of the people we serve."

In order to move forward with this capital project, the hospital must contribute our local share (approximately 10%) of the total cost. The North York General Hospital Foundation has committed to raise funds towards the project and contribute the percentage required. The NYGH Foundation's commitment to supporting excellence, and the outstanding generosity of our community's donors, help ensure the hospital can provide the very best care to our patients and their families.

The construction of this unit supports the province's focus on improved access to emergency care by increasing the capacity to manage the ebb and flow of patients with infectious illnesses. With an increased number of negative pressure isolation rooms, NYGH will continue to improve Emergency Department wait times, particularly during outbreaks such as the flu.

About North York General Hospital
NYGH, affiliated with the University of Toronto, is one of Canada's leading community academic hospitals. We offer our culturally diverse community a wide range of acute care, ambulatory and long-term care services across three sites. The hospital embraces health by providing innovative and compassionate care for the whole family at every stage of life.

For more information contact Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at (416) 756-6127 or public.relations@nygh.on.ca

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