Ontario Government Expanding Cancer Care Treatment in Hamilton
HAMILTON — Patients battling cancer in Hamilton are waiting too long to access life-saving treatments. That’s why Ontario’s Government for the People is expanding local access to stem cell transplants as part of its commitment to invest $27 billion over the next 10 years in building hospital infrastructure.
Today, Donna Skelly, MPP for Flamborough—Glanbrook was at Hamilton Health Sciences – Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre on behalf of Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, to mark the start of construction for an expanded stem cell transplant unit.
“Our government is expanding access to stem cell transplant procedures in Hamilton to provide faster and closer access to life saving treatment for patients with cancer,” said Skelly. “When completed, this newly-expanded facility will help reduce the number of Ontario patients who have to go out-of-province for these services. Projects like these are part of our government’s plan to modernize Ontario’s public health care system and end hallway health care.”
Ontario is investing up to $25 million towards expanding the stem cell transplant unit at the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre that is expected to open in 2021. Patients can expect to benefit from:
- A new 15-bed inpatient unit for patients undergoing stem cell transplants and other complex malignant hematology cancer treatments.
- Expanded oncology day services, including 11 additional treatment bays and a renovated pharmacy to support the growth of the expanded stem cell transplant program.
- Upgraded electrical and emergency generator systems to handle the increase in power load from the expanded stem cell transplant program.
“This new facility is going to make a real difference in the lives of patients and families in Hamilton who need life-saving stem cell treatment,” said Skelly. “This investment is a perfect example of the types of health infrastructure projects that will help build capacity, provide specialized supports and help end hallway health care in Ontario.”
“Hamilton Health Sciences thanks the Government of Ontario for this investment to increase access to life-saving cancer care and stem cell transplants for the people of Ontario,” said Rob MacIsaac, President and CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences. “The expansion of our full service stem cell transplant program, one of only three in Ontario, builds on the proud history of cancer treatment that continues to evolve in Hamilton. Our expanded facility will include a new, state-of-the-art suite with 15 additional inpatient rooms and five new outpatient rooms, allowing us to provide care for more patients every year and to advance our abilities to provide new therapies.”
Quick Facts
- Hamilton Health Sciences has the following hospital sites: Hamilton General Hospital, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, McMaster University Medical Centre and Children’s Hospital, St. Peter’s Hospital, and West Lincoln Memorial Hospital.
- A stem cell transplant is a procedure that replaces defective or damaged cells in patients whose normal cells have been affected by lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma and other cancers and disorders affecting the blood.