Improvements to Heart, Cancer Treatment Coming Thanks to Ford Government
19-1-2023
It’s a major step forward for Windsor Regional Hospital when it comes to cardiac and cancer treatment.
Thanks to a $30-million investment by the Ford government, the cardiac catheterization lab at Ouellette Campus will be moved from the basement to the second floor and expanded to include a second table, greatly expanding patient access to this life-saving treatment.
In addition, the funding boost will also be used to expand the Cancer Centre to accommodate a new linear accelerator used for radiation therapy. This will, again, improve and speed up patient access to treatment.
Premier Doug Ford was in Windsor to make the announcement along with Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones.
“The people of Ontario want action. We’re being bold, we’re being innovative, we’re working hand-in-hand with our healthcare partners. We’re making it easier, faster and more convenient for you to connect with care because it’s about you and your health,” said Ford. “There’s great leadership here in Windsor. They’re getting that new hospital, the investments we announced today. It’s been long overdue and we’re going to get it done.”
Both capital projects were announced by the previous government in the past, but failed to materialize when funding did not come through.
“We had two legacy projects that were promised over a decade ago with big fanfare, but they weren’t delivered upon. Both are desperately needed before we move into the new acute care hospital,” said WRH President and CEO David Musyj. “On a personal level, I can tell you this Premier and Deputy Premier listen. On behalf of Windsor Regional Hospital, thank you for listening and getting things done.”
The Cancer Centre’s new linear accelerator is expected to be operational by September 2023 with a plan to replace the three current machines with newer technology over the next 36 months bringing the total number of machines available to patients to four.
Upgrades to the cardiac catheterization lab will go out to tender in March or April 2023. Construction is then expected to take 12 to 18 months.
All machines with usable life will then be moved to the new acute hospital when it’s ready.
The announcement comes on the heels of the provincial government’s pledge to expedite the process for a new acute care hospital for the Windsor-Essex region - construction is now expected to begin in 2026 with a completion date of 2030.
