There is new hope today for Eastern Ontario residents on surgery wait lists and in need of family health care.
The provincial government announced that $45 million of a new $667.2-million health investment will go to the Ottawa region.
"Our population is growing, the number of senior citizens here in the west end is particularly high," said Jim Watson, Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister and MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean.
"When you get older, you spend more time in doctor's offices and we have to reflect that in the funding formula."
The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, the Queensway Carleton, the Montfort, and the Ottawa Hospital will each receive funds ranging from $800,000 to $18 million.
The $667.2 million is to be split between more than 150 hospitals across the province.
The McGuinty government says the money represents a 4.9 per cent boost over last year's hospital funding.
The announcement was made at York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill, a facility that will see an additional $5.1 million in new funds while it undergoes a major renovation.
With files from The Canadian Press
