South West LHIN Announces New Funding to Address Local Health Care Priorities

LONDON, ON, Dec. 20 – The South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) Board of Directors today approved nearly $2.5 million in new funding allocations to address local health care priorities, with an additional $4.5 million in annual ongoing funding to begin in the 2008/09 fiscal year. “The South West LHIN and its providers and partners have been working to make improvements in the health care system within our existing financial resources. This new funding gives us an opportunity to address some of the priorities that are not being considered through other funding streams, and that will ultimately drive the changes that improve the day-to-day health care experiences of the people living in our communities,” says Board Chair Norm Gamble.

The LHIN Priorities Fund is a new funding investment in Ontario’s 14 LHINs that allows LHINs to address key local priorities. The South West LHIN has allocated approximately $2.5 million for 13 initiatives this year, with some funding also approved in principle for 2008/09 in order to continue some of the projects.

“The priorities we are funding represent key steps to improving our local health care system,” explains Chief Executive Officer Tony Woolgar. “By investing in initiatives such as our electronic health platform, vans to help seniors access services, and processes that have been shown to improve patient safety, we are able to help health service providers advance the important work they are undertaking to the next level.”

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The South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is a crown agency responsible for planning, integrating and funding more than 150 health service providers, including hospitals, long-term care homes, mental health and addictions agencies, community support services, community health centres, and the South West CCAC. Established under the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006, as one of 14 LHINs across Ontario, the South West LHIN operates an annual health care budget of $1.8 billion. The South West LHIN covers an area from Lake Erie to the Bruce Peninsula and is home to almost one million people.

For further information: Annabelle Mackey, (519) 672-0445, ext. 225, 1-866-294-5446, annabelle.mackey@lhins.on.ca; Tommasina Conte, (519) 672-0445, ext. 208, 1-866-294-5446 tommasina.conte@lhins.on.ca