TORONTO – The McGuinty government is strengthening primary health care in Eglinton Lawrence by increasing the base funding for the Lawrence Heights Community Health Centre (CHC) and the Anne Johnston Health Station, MPP Mike Colle, announced today on behalf of Minister of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman.

“Both the Anne Johnston and the Lawrence Heights Community Health Centres are hidden gems of the primary health care system in this community,” said Mike Colle. “This funding will result in greater access to care and better health for constituents of Eglinton-Lawrence who might experience barriers in accessing primary health care.”

The Anne Johnston Health Station CHC received a base funding increase of $77,780 and the Lawrence Heights Community Health Centre a $124,930 base increase. Both are part of an $8.8 million dollar province-wide increase for CHCs. The new funding was recently announced as part of the government’s $142 million dollar Emergency Department Action Plan, which contains system-wide solutions to ensure emergency rooms stay open and increase capacity in the health care system to meet the needs of Ontario patients. The increased funding will allow each CHC to address pressing needs including staffing, operating pressures at CHCs, including funding for accreditation, and ongoing support for existing special projects.

“We recognize the important work of Community Health Centres, who provide primary health care for individuals, families and communities,” said Smitherman. “This funding will allow CHCs to hire more staff and increase services, leading to enhanced care for clients.”

In November 2005, the government announced $74.6 million to support a three-year expansion of the CHC program, funding 22 new CHCs and 17 new Satellite CHCs by 2007-08.

Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty government’s plan for innovation in public health care, building a system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.