Quinte West mayor Jim Harrison presents Johanna March , Victorian Order of Nurses board member (L), and Julia Gosson, manager of Fund Development (M) with a certificate marking VON’s 100 years of operation at the council meeting on May 15, 2017. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Quinte West has made its final payment on a 10-year $500,000 commitment to the Kingston Hospital Foundation and a request to offer more could be on the horizon.
On Monday, Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison presented Kingston General Hospital Foundation board members with a $50,000 cheque.
Colleen Lawrie, chair of the board of directors and Denise Cumming, president and CEO of University Hospitals Kingston Foundation told the horseshoe how much of a difference the municipality’s dedication to healthcare has made in the lives of its own residents.
“We couldn’t have done it without you, ” Lawrie beamed. “It means fewer Quinte West residents will have to travel to larger cities like Ottawa and Toronto to receive cancer, stroke and trauma programs.”
She explained how the $500,000 commitment has gone to help three areas heavily used by Quinte West residents: the Kidd 9 Unit for medicine and oncology patients; the Cancer Centre and Intensive Care Unit.
In 2016, there were 3,545 visits to the Cancer Centre by Quinte West residents; 397 visits to the Emergency Room and 12,147 visits to outpatient clinics.
“Now we are working on our next round of investment,” Cumming told council.
She said the as phase two of the redevelopment at the KGH site gets underway, it’s expected to exceed $500 million for construction alone.
She said there are many renewal needs in the operating room including new operating suites, diagnostic labs, emergency department, birthing suites, neonatal intensive care unit and parking.
Pointing to members of OurTMH in attendance, Mayor Jim Harrison said the City is after ‘the best possible healthcare for the residents of Quinte West.’
“That’s all we want.”
Meanwhile, the city has officially recognized a local not-for-profit, charitable home and community care organization for 100 years of service within the municipality.
Monday night, Harrison presented a certificate to Victorian Order of Nurses board member Johanna March and manager of Fund Development Julia Gosson honouring the major milestone.
The VON recently made a trip to Prince Edward County revealing plans for 100-year celebrations throughout the region.
Quinte West events are yet to be announced.
