The emergency department at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) in Barrie is getting one-time funding of more than $2 million from the Ontario government.
The province says it is investing an additional $44 million this year in 165 high volume and smaller emergency departments to reduce wait times.
Each hospital will have the flexibility to decide how to spend the money to meet local needs.
"Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, this annual funding helped emergency departments connect people to care sooner by decreasing the average time spent in emergency departments by 12.2 per cent," according to the government in a news release on Thursday.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andre Khanjin says helping RVH ensure the good health of people in the community is a top priority.
"Our government is always looking for ways to improve patient outcomes, help hospitals deliver better health care services, and put caring back into health care. No family member wants the stress associated with long wait times in the emergency room, so our government is taking action by increasing funding for RVH to help with ER wait times."
Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey says this funding is another example of how the government is investing in healthcare to ensure everyone in Ontario has the right to high-quality care close to home.
"Our government is dedicated to working with our local hospitals to meet the unique needs of the communities they serve."
An additional $15 million will also expand the number of smaller hospitals that can now receive this funding. The province says 90 hospitals that provide emergency care to fewer than 30,000 patients a year will be eligible, so they can hire and retain staff they need to keep emergency departments open.
