(Strathroy, ON) – More than $1.28M will be spent over for fiscal year 2016-17 at the Middlesex Hospital Alliance (MHA). The Middlesex Hospital Alliance (MHA) has received one time funding in the amounts of $179,298 for the Four Counties Health Services site and $1,108,326 for the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital site as part of the Government’s Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF).
“HIRF grants are essential in maintaining the physical structures of our hospital sites and we are certainly grateful to the South West Local Health Integration Network for the ongoing investments in MHA,” stated T. Stepanuik, MHA President & CEO. Hospitals can use HIRF funds for projects that extend the useful life, or result in an improvement in the quality or functionality of a hospital facility, but that will not result in an increase in operating funding. The Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund provides funds to supplement a hospital’s existing capital renewal program and help address renewal needs (e.g., roofing systems, boilers, windows, HVAC, fire alarm upgrades, etc.) on a priority basis.
HIRF grants were established to assist hospitals in their efforts to renew their facilities. The infusions of cash for building upgrades and repairs are investments in patient care. “HIRF funding is critical in terms of keeping our two sites up to date,” stated A. Smith, MHA Chief Financial Officer.
MHA continuously monitors and plans for replacement of equipment that is at end-of-life. At the Strathroy site the funds for 2016/17 have been targeted to purchase new boilers that are more energy efficient and will ensure adequate heating is available throughout the hospital for the next 30 years. At the Four Counties site, the air handling unit for the ambulatory care department will be replaced with a new, energy efficient model. All projects will be completed by March 31, 2017.