Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy yesterday reiterated that the long-demanded planning grant for a new Whitby hospital, has been announced.
“I am absolutely thrilled that the Province of Ontario has recognized the urgent need for a new hospital in Durham Region and announced a capital planning grant for Lakeridge Health,” she said.
“We are excited to hear that there is a firm commitment to build a hospital in Whitby on the northeast corner of Winchester and Lake Ridge Road – the site recommended by an independent expert panel.
Whitby had been calling for the grant since the initial choice of Whitby as the location for the new hospital, more than two years ago (see related stories below).
Not assured that the province would choose Whitby as the recommended site after comments from Premier Doug Ford (see below), the town launched a community advocacy campaign focused on the need for a new hospital in our rapidly growing region.
“Our community rallied behind this cause,” said Mayor Roy. “Thousands of Durham residents signed our call-to-action letter or contributed a personal story about why a new hospital matters to them…You spoke, and the province heard you.”
Thank you to Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Sylvia Jones, and Durham’s MPPs for your commitment to ensuring Durham residents have the healthcare they need, when and where they need it.
The province’s announcement also included commitments to redevelop and expand Lakeridge Health campuses in Durham, including adding 300 new hospital beds, a new post-acute care centre in Pickering, and the redevelopment of the Bowmanville Hospital.
These investments will help ensure an integrated system of healthcare to meet the needs of residents across the region.
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