Liberal government must keep its promise for a new hospital in Windsor and Essex County: NDP MPPs

WINDSOR – Today, NDP MPPs Lisa Gretzky, Percy Hatfield, and Taras Natyshak vowed to keep up the pressure on the Liberal government to approve a new hospital and satellite facilities for Windsor and Essex County, as the project’s preferred site locations were officially unveiled.

Over the past fourteen months, the volunteer subcommittee developed a proposal for a new single-site acute care hospital, a main satellite facility on the site of the former Grace Hospital, and enhanced mental health services at the Tayfour and Ouellette campuses. The plan is now waiting for approval from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

“Our communities have a vision for improving health care and meeting the needs of our families, growing children, and aging grandparents for decades to come,” said Hatfield, MPP for Windsor-Tecumseh. “Now it’s time for the Liberal government to give the go-ahead for design work on the new facilities. I will do all that I can to make it a successful project, and I look forward to working with everyone involved in building the future of health care in our region.”

Taras Natyshak, MPP for Essex, echoed the call for action from the Liberal government while calling for an end to health care cuts. “Families in the county have worked hard to stop Liberal cuts to our health care services, most recently at Leamington Hospital. Our new regional hospital can meet the needs of Essex families, but we will need more than just bricks and mortar. Families need the provincial government to stop cutting the health care services that patients and their loved ones depend on.” 

Lisa Gretzky, MPP for Windsor West, applauded the subcommittee’s proposal to redevelop existing facilities and build a main satellite facility at the corner of University and Crawford Avenues, staffed by hospital physicians and featuring diagnostic equipment and laboratory services.

“The construction of a main satellite facility and urgent care centre at the site of the former Grace Hospital is welcome news for the west side of Windsor,” said Gretzky. “I am also committed to working with decision makers at all levels of government to ensure that the new hospital is accessible to all by reliable and affordable public transportation. Ongoing engagement with the community is vital to identify and address any accessibility issues with the selected site. I will continue to monitor the progress of the proposal and will remain vigilant in my efforts to ensure the Minister meets all timelines set out.” 

All three MPPs thanked everyone involved in the decision-making process to this point, including the volunteer site selection subcommittee, for their tireless work and commitment to the health of their communities.