PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQU

Bill Mauro, M.P.P.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan

Mauro Clarifies Funding Model for Cardiovascular Surgery

Program
 PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQU

Bill Mauro, M.P.P.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan

Improving Access to High-Quality Care in Northwestern Ontario

NEWS September 27, 2017

MPP Bill Mauro was at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in June along with
Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, to announce investment in new
construction and renovations at the hospital to house a new Cardiovascular Surgery Program.
 PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQU

Bill Mauro, M.P.P.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan

The Province has made a firm commitment to the capital component of the program and will
fully fund the operational costs once the program is up and running. It is anticipated the
program will be fully operational by 2020.

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation will look to the corporate community,
foundations, individuals and area municipalities, as it works to meet its contribution goal
towards the Program. While the Foundation will look for support from various donors,
including municipalities, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Cares commitment to the
Project is not contingent on support from any one specific group or organization.
 PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQU

Bill Mauro, M.P.P.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan

This project involves new construction and renovation of more than 20,000 sq. feet at the
hospital, providing Northwestern Ontarians with:

An ambulatory care and pre-admission clinic expansion

A new vascular laboratory
14 new cardiovascular inpatient beds
5 new stepdown beds
1 new surgical suite, equipped with advanced imaging technology and a recovery
area.
 PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQU

Bill Mauro, M.P.P.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan

The Cardiovascular Surgery Program at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
will also play a key role in the economy of our region by creating between 60 and 70 new jobs.
At the same time patients will stay close to home where they are near their family, and friends,
who can support them. The expense and disruption of travelling away from home will also be
eliminated. This program builds on the Angioplasty program started in 2009 which has served
approximately 700 patients each year and created 40 jobs.

Ontario is increasing access to care, reducing wait times and improving the patient experience
through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care and OHIP+: Children and Youth
Pharmacare protecting health care today and into the future.
 PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQU

Bill Mauro, M.P.P.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan
 PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQU

Bill Mauro, M.P.P.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan

QUOTES

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centres Cardiovascular Surgery Project is
another example of our Governments commitment to improving access to quality care for
people living in Northwestern Ontario. Providing cardiac surgery builds on the Angioplasty
Program which was introduced in 2009. I am proud of our Governments on-going support
towards improving health care outcomes for patients in Northwestern Ontario while at the
same time benefitting the overall well-being of all people living in the region.
Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay-Atikokan
 PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQU

Bill Mauro, M.P.P.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan

QUICK FACTS

Ontarios health care budget in 2017-18 is $53.8 billion a 3.8 per cent increase from the
previous year.
The total planned investment in Ontarios hospital infrastructure will be more than $20
billion over the next 10 years. About 34 hospital projects are now underway across the
province.
 PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQU

Bill Mauro, M.P.P.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan

Ontarios investment of more than $190 billion over the 13-year period starting in 2014-15
is the largest infrastructure investment in the provinces history. It is helping to build new
child care spaces, schools, hospitals, public transit, highways and roads.

For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 (Toll-free in Ontario

only)

Media Contacts: ontario.ca/health-news

Disponible en franais
 PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQU

Bill Mauro, M.P.P.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan

Mike Albanese
Office of Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay-Atikokan
(807) 623-9237