Residents in Markdale will have to keep waiting for a new hospital.
Speaking at the Bruce Power Visitor’s Centre in Tiverton Friday afternoon, Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman says there are regions in Ontario that are also in need of new hospitals.
Smitherman says money is standing in the way between Markdale and a new facility.
He says the local fundraising committee has raised around 13 million dollars but is asking the Province for another 50 to 60 million to cover the costs.
Smitherman says Markdale residents will be the first to know when his government is going to make an announcement that they will get a new hospital.
He is hopeful that day will come but says his Ministry is not in a position yet to move that project forward.
He adds the Province is spending over 5 billion dollars in building new hospitals across Ontario.
Smitherman also talk about a number of other local health care issues.
On the shortage of doctors and nurses, Smitherman says there are more doctors being licensed this year than in previous years and there is an increase in the size of medical schools in Ontario according to a recent college of physicians and surgeons report.
He says that combined with licensing more foreign trained doctors and the development of family health teams, the Province is making pretty good strides.
The Huron-Perth Health Care Alliance is going through a nursing shortage and recently set up an electronic billboard along Highway 8 near Seaforth advertising nursing positions at their hospital.
Smitherman says that shows that there are more nurses available and a lot of competition for their services.
He says nurses have more choices of where to work and that is putting pressure on health care providers to create good environments and show that they are good employers.
Smitherman was asked about the status of the addition to the Kincardine Community Medical Clinic that was recently approved by the South Bruce Grey Health Centre and is now being forwarded to the Local Health Integration Network and the Ministry of Health.
While he admits he is not too familiar with the project, Smitherman says with the help of Huron Bruce Liberal MPP Carol Mitchell he will try his best to get that moving forward quickly.
Smitherman says he understands what is going on here in the region and is doing all he can to be helpful.
Smitherman and Mitchell were at the Bruce Power Visitor’s Centre for an announcement by Bruce Power of funding for local hospitals and medical clinics.
