Latest news with #SylviaJones
CBC
06-08-2025
- Health
- CBC
Ontario to spend $56.8M to increase nursing enrolment
The Ford government has announced $56.8 million in new spending to expand nursing seats in colleges and universities across the province, with the aim of adding 2,200 nurses by 2029. The Ontario government "is taking bold and innovating action to make it easier for patients and their families to connect to care," Health Minister Sylvia Jones said at a news conference Wednesday. Nursing staffing levels have been a source of contention in the province for years. Hundreds of nurses rallied outside several Ontario hospitals earlier this summer to demand CEOs improve staffing levels across the province, with the Ontario Nurses' Association citing a shortage of 25,000 registered nurses provincewide. Ontario will need 33,200 more nurses and 50,853 more personal support workers by 2032 or risk steeper nursing shortages, the government projected last year, Jones said that strides have been made in Peel Region in particular. She highlighted the new medical school in Brampton opened by Toronto Metropolitan University, as well as the construction of the new Peel Memorial Hospital. Ontario will also be expanding its online nursing training program to help personal support workers and registered practical nurses looking to get a BScN, said Nolan Quinn, minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security at the same news conference. "Ontario needs more nurses to deliver excellent care in our growing communities." Quinn said. "These flexible options mean more nurses can upgrade their skills without leaving the workforce," he said. "Nurses play a vital role in our health-care system." To increase nursing enrolment in colleges and universities in smaller communities, the government launched a learn and stay grant in 2023, which included $96 million to cover tuition and school fees for nursing students throughout the province.
Cision Canada
06-08-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
SDI Canada Delivers New Prefabricated Modular MRI Suite to Headwaters Health Care Centre Français
ORANGEVILLE, ON, Aug. 6, 2025 /CNW/ - SDI Canada, a national leader in medical infrastructure innovation, has delivered a fully prefabricated Modular MRI Cassette® to Headwaters Health Care Centre, marking a major milestone in the future of healthcare delivery. This cutting-edge unit will house the hospital's new GE Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Unlike traditional construction, SDI's modular approach enables much quicker delivery and installation, significantly reducing patient wait times and enabling earlier diagnoses and treatments. "We're delivering imaging departments in half the time it would normally take, which equates to over one year of time saved per site," explained SDI Canada President and Founder Toufic Abiad. "That year can mean up to 5,000 additional scans —5,000 people receiving care sooner. That's not just innovation, it's impact." "Our government is protecting Ontario's health-care system by ensuring that more people in Orangeville and across Dufferin County can connect to convenient diagnostic care, where and when they need it," said Sylvia Jones, MPP for Dufferin—Caledon, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "With the installation of Headwaters Health Care Centre's brand-new modular MRI machine, we are making it faster and easier for more people to access vital diagnostic imaging in the community, for years to come." Manufactured in a controlled environment, the Modular MRI Cassette ensures superior quality control, delivering a more efficient and dependable implementation process. It also allows for better quality control during its construction, since it's built in a completely controlled environment. The innovation behind the fabrication of the Cassettes, in tandem with manufacturing schedules that overlap the groundwork and site prep, as opposed to waiting for the site to be ready before construction even begins, allows for faster delivery and time savings that could potentially save lives. "Think about what you would do for yourself, your mother, your partner, or your children to get scanned quickly and start treatment earlier," added SDI President Toufic Abiad. "What's the impact of waiting an extra year with a debilitating knee injury? Now imagine that time savings applied across five sites in Ontario—that's over 20,000 people getting scanned sooner. That benefits everyone: the patient, the doctor, and the treatment centre staff—their jobs, their livelihoods. This is about more than construction—it's about transforming lives." Meeting the Needs of Modern Hospitals Through Modular Solutions The innovative technology behind SDI Canada's prefabricated installations effectively meets some of the most pressing needs of today's hospitals by: Satisfying hospitals' clinical and technological obligations. Creating a strategic, cutting-edge reserve of medical infrastructure to support and optimize the deployment of technology throughout the building's lifespan. The Modular MRI Cassette offers many benefits, such as incredible control over costs and delays. Additionally, the Cassette's factory manufacturing process meets the highest quality standards and can provide a multitude of personalized dimensions and options—allowing a comfortable, ergonomic environment for personnel and patients alike. This means institutions can adapt the Cassette to their specific medical needs, from imaging to surgery, reception, triage, and even office space. The modular unit can even be aesthetically adapted to match existing infrastructure. Turnkey Installation for Quick and Easy Implementation At Headwaters Health Care Centre, SDI delivered a fully functional MRI department in less time than traditional construction, especially considering its impact on patient care and healthcare system efficiency: Reduced Wait Times: Quicker access to MRI scans means patients can receive timely diagnosis and treatment, potentially improving outcomes. Efficiency Gains: The faster implementation of the MRI suite contributes to overall healthcare system efficiency. It allows healthcare providers to streamline workflows, optimize resource allocation, and reduce costs associated with prolonged patient stays or delayed treatments. Patient Impact: Early diagnosis is crucial in many medical conditions. By enabling earlier scanning, you're facilitating prompt identification of health issues, which in turn allows for earlier intervention and treatment. This can lead to better patient outcomes and potentially save lives. System Relief: Alleviating the strain on the healthcare system is another significant benefit. Quicker scanning means fewer patients waiting for diagnostic services, which can help reduce congestion in hospitals and clinics, and improve overall patient satisfaction. About SDI Canada Key players in the healthcare industry have recognized SDI Canada's strengths over the past 20 years. Companies like Siemens, General Electric (GE), and Philips acknowledge SDI as a key partner. They are also known for the construction of imaging rooms in some of the best hospitals across Canada and around the world. Some of the company's most recent turnkey projects in Canada include: Redesigning four MRI rooms at Toronto Western Hospital (which they had previously shielded). Installing the 7Tesla MRI at the Montreal Neurological Institute. Delivering the first-ever modular MRI department in Canada at Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre. SDI Canada remains a key ally in the deployment of MRIs and biomedical equipment. The company serves Canadian healthcare providers as an expert in construction, infrastructure maintenance, and the distribution of specialized accessories, such as chiller systems.
CTV News
17-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Provincial government helps fund long-awaited new hospital in Brantford-Brant
The Ontario government pledges to invest an additional $12.5 million for the construction of a long-awaited hospital in Brantford-Brant. Brant Community Healthcare System has planned for a new hospital for more than ten years. It's expected to connect more patients and families in Brant County, Six Nations of the Grand River and surrounding communities to more convenient, high-quality care. 'By investing to build a brand-new Brant Community Healthcare System hospital, we are making it faster and easier for more people and their families to access world-class care in their community, for generations to come,' said Sylvia Jones, deputy premier and minister of health, in a media release. The latest investment is on top of Ontario's previous investment of $2.5 million. In November 2024, the City of Brantford launched a new campaign, asking the provincial government and Ministry of Health to prioritize funding for a new hospital. 'This new state-of-the-art facility will expand capacity, improve services and reduce wait times, ensuring the hospital can continue to meet the needs of the rapidly growing region for years to come,' said the media release. Once opened, the new hospital is expected to include: Increased patient capacity to meet the community's future needs and allow more people to connect to care sooner More access to core programs, emergency services and intensive care Medical imaging and other diagnostic services Maternal, newborn and pediatric care programs Mental health and addictions programs, including a Mental Health Emergency Medicine Unit and Specialized Mental Health Outpatient Clinic Modernized medical and surgical inpatient units to allow people to receive vital surgeries and procedures sooner, including for stroke and rehabilitation care New ambulatory care programs and clinics to increase access to life-saving dialysis and cancer care The Ministry of Health will be working with Brant Community Healthcare System to complete early planning for this project, including determining bed numbers and square footage. The province said once planning is complete and the project has found a bidder, a construction schedule will be confirmed. Brant Community Healthcare System's website said the BCHS Foundation continues to raise funds for the Hospital Redevelopment. Donations can be made online.
Winnipeg Free Press
11-07-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Some Ontario doctors can treat family members as regulatory college relaxes rules amid shortage
TORONTO – The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is relaxing its policy against doctors treating themselves, family members and others close to them amid the province's primary care crisis. Doctors were previously only allowed to treat relatives and other people close to them in emergencies or for minor conditions if no other qualified health-care professional was readily available. Now, doctors can provide other medical care — including ordering tests and treating illnesses and injuries — if there isn't another option, such as virtual care, or an alternate health-care provider within a reasonable distance. The college says on its website the updated policy responds to 'current access to care challenges in Ontario,' and recognizes that patients in smaller communities, including Indigenous communities, may only have access to a doctor who is related to them or close to them. However, it also says that physicians can't provide treatment to themselves or friends and family on an ongoing basis. Doctors also can't do intimate examinations or prescribe narcotics to people close to them, except in an emergency. The policy appears to have been updated on the college's website in May and the changes were published in the June issue of its digital publication. In an emailed response, a spokesperson for Ontario Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said the CPSO is 'an independent regulatory body, which in Ontario is independently responsible for setting the rules and regulations that physicians need to follow.' Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. She also said the provincial government is 'investing $2.1 billion to connect every single person in the province to primary care — and that will continue to be our focus.' The CPSO did not immediately respond to request for comment. -With files from Allison Jones This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 11, 2025. Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
Toronto Star
08-07-2025
- Health
- Toronto Star
More people will be at risk for HIV and Hep C as needle distribution banned at Ontario's new addiction treatment hubs, critics say
A decision to prohibit sterile needle distribution at the province's Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hubs will put more people at risk of HIV and Hepatitis C transmission, says a coalition urging the government to reverse its policy. More than 600 individuals and organizations signed a letter sent to Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones on Monday. The signatories say the policy is not evidence-based and could discourage vulnerable Ontarians from accessing other health-care services offered at HART Hubs.
