The Government of Ontario, a province in Canada, has announced an investment of $2.5m for the redevelopment of Lakeridge Health’s hospital in Bowmanville.

The Bowmanville Hospital redevelopment project will feature a blend of renovation and new construction to create a quality healthcare system for those living in Bowmanville, Clarington and surrounding areas.

The announcement was made by Member of Provincial Parliament for Durham, Lindsey Park, and a spokesperson on behalf of Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Christine Elliott.

Lindsey Park stated: “Durham is one of the fastest growing regions in Ontario and Bowmanville Hospital had its last major expansion over 30 years ago. Today’s announcement will help modernize our community hospital and ensure Lakeridge Health can deliver better patient-centered and timely care, both now and into the future.”

Apart from the hospital’s redevelopment, the Ontario government is also keen on the construction of an interim helipad for Bowmanville Hospital.

The presence of the helipad will be of vital importance in transferring critical care patients to and from Lakeridge Health’s Bowmanville Hospital during the redevelopment phase.

Cost to build the interim helipad will not be a part of the $2.5m that Ontario  government has granted for the Bowmanville project.

Christine Elliott said: “Investing in projects like the redevelopment of Bowmanville Hospital is a key part of our government’s plan to build a connected and sustainable public health care system and end hallway health care. This investment will help ensure the people of Bowmanville and neighbouring areas have access to the modern facilities and services they need, when they need them.”

The Ontario government has invested a total of $351m on healthcare and long-term care across the province.

This includes introducing over 2,250 beds at 57 hospitals and alternate health facilities, and the delivery of 53,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine and 95,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine in December 2020, to combat Covid-19.