Ontario announces nearly $4.9 million in funding for the expansion of kidney care in Quinte region

Patients in the Quinte region will soon benefit from more complex kidney care closer to home thanks to new funding announced by the Provincial government today. MPP for the Bay of Quinte, Todd Smith and MPP for Hastings-Lennox and Addington Daryl Kramp announced that the government of Ontario has approved Kingston Health Sciences Centre’s application to expand the satellite dialysis unit in Belleville with one-time capital funding for up to $4.899 million to support the project.

The funding will support renovations to the 6,766 square foot space in Belleville that will increase the number of dialysis stations from 15 to 20 and increase space to provide training and specialized care to patients through a new Multi-Care Kidney Clinic (MCKC).

“We are grateful for this support from the provincial government, MPP Smith and MPP Kramp to expand dialysis treatment and enhance resources for people in the Quinte area living with chronic kidney disease,” said Dr. Renate Ilse, KHSC’s Chief Operating Officer.

The expansion project addresses a growing need for kidney care in the Quinte region as the current clinic in Belleville operates at near capacity on a daily basis. Future projections indicate that demand for dialysis in the region is expected to grow by another 15 per cent in the next few years.

“Our government believes health care works best for patients when they can receive the appropriate care closer to home,” said MPP Smith. “This significant investment in the Belleville Satellite Dialysis Unit ensures that the residents of our region who rely on dialysis will have convenient access to the modern facilities they need. We have listened to their wishes.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by KHSC, who operates the renal program for all of Southeastern Ontario, including the operation of satellite dialysis facilities in Belleville, Picton, Napanee, Bancroft, Perth-Smiths Falls and Brockville.

“Working collaboratively with patients and families, our partners in government, at Quinte Health Care, and in the community has brought us here today and it is how we help improve the health-care experiences and outcomes of those we serve,” said Brenda Carter, KHSC’s Executive Vice President of Quality and Partnerships, and Regional VP of Cancer Care. “The funding announced today will ensure that we continue to deliver more care closer to people’s homes and meet the demand for dialysis and other multidisciplinary care in the Quinte area for many years to come.”

MPP Kramp credited KHSC for its leadership in planning for increased demand in kidney care.

“KHSC is a leader for health care in this province. Two weeks ago in Kingston we announced an update to renal care there with a new satellite dialysis unit in Kingston as the existing Kingston General Hospital facility nears full capacity. Their planning skills are shown once again here in Belleville with this satellite upgrade. KHSC shows they put patients first and understand how to make things happen before there are capacity issues.”

In Ontario, renal care is delivered regionally with 12 hospitals, like KHSC, acting as regional hub sites. These hospitals oversee the satellite facilities such as those in the Quinte region. For more information about renal care in Ontario, visit www.ontariorenalnetwork.ca.