**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Investments in Halifax Hospitals
The Province of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada are investing more than $19 million in several projects to improve infrastructure at the IWK Health Centre, Halifax Infirmary and QEII Health Sciences Centre.
These investments clearly show that the health and safety of Nova Scotians remains a top priority for the provincial and federal governments.
“The health of our province depends on the health of our people. Infrastructure projects like this are about more than construction as they help enhance Nova Scotians’ access to care and help with the retention and recruitment of health-care professionals,” said Health and Wellness Minister Zach Churchill.
“Through this federal and provincial funding, as well as through other health-care projects across the province, we have an opportunity to rethink and rebuild the way we deliver health care.”
The projects include repairs and upgrades to the IWK’s cooling systems, electrical systems, water pump, exterior caulking, air-handling units, hand-washing sinks and audio-visual infrastructure. As well, privacy curtains will be replaced with standardized barriers to better fit health standards. These projects will help keep staff, patients and visitors safe and healthy.
At the Halifax Infirmary Charles V. Keating Emergency and Trauma Centre’s emergency department, the expansion of supplementary spaces will improve functional needs and efficiency.
Projects at the QEII Health Sciences Centre include window renovations, a fire booster pump replacement, and generator system and casework upgrades to ensure emergency services are operating smoothly.
The Government of Canada is investing over $15.3 million in these projects through the COVID-19 Resilience Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Nova Scotia is contributing more than $3.8 million.
Quotes:
“The Government of Canada is taking strong and quick action to protect the health and safety of all Canadians, to stabilize our economy, and to support communities across Canada. The repairs and rehabilitations to several hospital and medical facilities will promote a healthier, safer environment for patients and staff. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”
– Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Quick Facts:
— the IWK Health Centre provides quality care to women, children, youth and families in the Maritime provinces and beyond
— the QEII Health Sciences Centre includes the Victoria General and Halifax Infirmary sites. On average each day, there are 3,454 outpatient/clinic visits, 206 emergency visits and 75 surgeries
— improved infrastructure helps with recruitment and retention of health-care professionals
— government is making the most significant infrastructure investment in Nova Scotia history to modernize health-care facilities in Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Halifax Regional Municipality, Bridgewater, Pugwash and other communities across the province
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotia Health Care Redevelopment website: http://healthredevelopment.novascotia.ca/
Department of Health and Wellness Twitter: http://twitter.com/nshealth
Department of Health and Wellness Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NovaScotiaHealthAndWellness/
