MPP Arnott again calls upon Government to support Groves hospital redevelopment

Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott made the following statement in the Ontario Legislature on December 13th, 2006:

Mr. Ted Arnott (Waterloo-Wellington): Mr. Speaker, it is my contention that of all the hospitals in Ontario, there is not one that has more enthusiastic local public support than the Groves Memorial Community Hospital in the Township of Centre Wellington.

The Groves hospital’s reputation for excellence is well deserved, a reputation that is shared by the hospitals of North Wellington Health Care, and the other hospitals which serve my constituents. As this year comes to an end, we express our thanks.

In the Spring of 2007 the Groves Hospital will open its new Community Chemotherapy Clinic, in partnership with the Grand River Hospital in Kitchener. This new cancer care clinic will mean that cancer patients will receive their chemotherapy closer to home. This new clinic represents hope for families as patients beat cancer and get better.

To compliment this new cancer care service, there is a need for a new CT scanner to ensure that the level of service at Groves is consistent with the standard of care and availability of CT at other hospitals serving a similar population, with a similar clinical program. It will mean reduced wait times and improved local access to this essential diagnostic procedure, and it will mean better medical care all round.

Recently, the Groves Memorial Community Hospital Board, submitted an updated Master Plan to the Ministry of Health which includes a bold vision for a brand new hospital. As the MPP for Waterloo-Wellington I will continue to actively support whatever hospital redevelopment plan that the Board and our Community put forward for the Ministry’s consideration.

I’m pleased that the Minister of Health is in the House to hear what I have to say today, and I urge the Ministry to move swiftly to respond to our health care needs.