Doug Ford in Brampton to invest $21 million to develop new hospital

Premier Doug Ford has announced today (Apr. 3) that the province plans to invest $21 million to develop a new hospital with a 24/7 emergency department in Brampton.

More specifically, the funding will be used to transform Peel Memorial into a new inpatient hospital with an emergency department that runs 24/7, and expand cancer care at Brampton Civic Hospital.

Ford made the announcement in Brampton on Sunday morning. He was joined by Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Prabmeet Sarkaria, MPP for Brampton South.

“For decades, the people of Brampton have been desperate for the new hospital that their growing community needs,” said Ford, who stated that previous governments were “fine with doing the bare minimum.”

“Our government is getting it done and delivering the new inpatient hospital with a 24/7 emergency department that the people and families of Brampton deserve.”

The government says the new hospital will reduce wait times and expand services, including enhanced seniors care, mental health and addictions, rehabilitation and complex continuing care for patients and their families.

Over 250 new inpatient acute and post-acute care beds are planned to be added to William Osler Health System with the goal of significantly increasing hospital capacity.

William Osler Health System currently provides care to 1.3 million people in Brampton, Etobicoke and the surrounding communities across five locations: Brampton Civic Hospital, Etobicoke General Hospital, Peel Memorial, a withdrawal management centre and a reactivation care unit.

“Brampton’s new inpatient hospital will be a game changer for our community, and I’m thrilled that after years of neglect from previous governments, our community is finally getting our fair share,” said Sarkaria.

“This new inpatient hospital will ensure that every member of our community has access to the quality care we need and deserve, as we build a better health care system for Brampton families.”

Ford previously mentioned back in January that a new hospital in Brampton was coming ‘sooner than later’ but couldn’t confirm when development would begin.

Photo courtesy of The Canadian Press