$6.1M boost for health-care services in Northumberland

By reporter Natalie Hamilton

In a gathering in the bistro at Northumberland’s west-end hospital, MPP David Piccini shared Wednesday (Sept. 23) a dose of good medicine with the announcement of an additional $6.1 million from the province to bolster health-care services and infrastructure in Northumberland-Peterborough South.

The funding will support Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH), Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) and the Community Health Centres of Northumberland (CHCN) and targets outcomes ranging from increased surgical capacity to renewed critical infrastructure and more, attendees heard. The funding will support hospital operations, infrastructure improvements, additional CT capacity and surgical recovery, with the goal of helping health-care providers continue delivering care to patients close to home, explained officials.

“Strong local healthcare starts with making sure our hospitals and health-care facilities have the resources they need to provide high-quality care closer to home,” said Piccini. “These investments will support important infrastructure improvements, increase access to diagnostic imaging and surgical care, and provide our local hospitals with additional resources to meet the needs of patients across Northumberland.”

NHH will receive $2,909,700 in additional base funding for 2026–27, a 3.1 per cent increase from 2025–26 to support hospital operations and the delivery of essential health-care services. It will also get $1,284,713 through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund to support critical infrastructure renewal and improvements at the hospital, including the replacement of its cooling tower.

In addition, NHH will receive $389,200 in Incremental Surgical Recovery Funding (2025-26) to support additional surgical activity and help address surgical demand and wait-times.

“As Northumberland County continues to grow and age so does the need for timely access to high-quality hospital services,” said Susan Walsh, NHH president and CEO. “The investment announced today is much appreciated and will help (NHH) complete necessary infrastructure improvements – specifically, the replacement of our chiller, which manages temperature and humidity in the hospital– as well as supporting our ability to meet growing patient needs through welcome base funding adjustment and specific dollars targeted to high-need areas, including surgical services.”

Meanwhile, CMH will get $1,116,700 in additional base funding for 2026–27, a 4 per cent increase from 2025–26 to support hospital operations and the delivery of essential health-care services. It will also get $175,576 through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund to support critical infrastructure renewal and improvements at the hospital. And there’s another boost of $118,500 for additional CT hours (2025-26) aimed to increase diagnostic imaging capacity and help patients access timely diagnostic services closer to home.

CMH said it’s grateful for both the investment and the impact the funding will have on patients and the communities it serves.

“These funds will help us invest in improving clinical infrastructure, expand our CT capacity to help reduce wait-times across the region, and support the essential services our teams provide every day,” said CMH CEO Jeff Hohenkerk, in a statement. “As we continue working toward a new hospital for our community, investments like these are critical to ensuring CMH can continue providing safe, high-quality care today while we build for the future.”

Finally, CHCN will receive $189,070 through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund to support HVAC upgrades.

“Our Port Hope location is more than a place where we provide interdisciplinary primary care and community-based programs – it also serves as a cooling and warming centre during extreme weather,” said Chiara Campitelli-Thompson, CHCN’s executive director. “This investment will help us maintain clean air, and consistent, comfortable temperatures throughout the building – creating a healthier environment for our clients, staff and community members.

“For a smaller organization like CHCN, capital funding of this kind makes a meaningful and lasting difference for everyone who walks through our doors.”

The province’s “Through Your Health: A Plan For Connected and Convenient Care” targets

expanding access to key services to provide people with the right care, in the right place.

The plan aims to ensure residents can connect to the care they need when they need it most and where it’s most convenient by providing the right care in the right place, offering faster access to services, and growing the health-care workforce, according to the province.

Northumberland County Warden Bob Crate welcomed the funding news.

“Strong local health care is fundamental to the community’s well-being,” said Crate. “Today’s investment will help ensure Northumberland hospitals and community health partners have the infrastructure and resources they need to continue delivering high-quality care close to home.

“As our community grows and demand for health services increases, investments like these help strengthen our local system and its capacity to meet the evolving needs of residents. On behalf of county council, I thank the Province of Ontario for this important investment.”