Government of Ontario Announces Investment in PTSI Centre of Excellence
March 24, 2023
We are
thrilled to announce Runnymede Health Centre is receiving a significant
investment of $9.6 million from the Ford Government through the 2023 Budget.
This commitment will enable us to forge ahead with the development of Canada's
first fully dedicated Centre of Excellence, providing First Responders and
frontline health workers with the
mental health and wellness solutions they need.
Ontario’s
First Responders are our everyday heroes. This includes Police
Officers, Firefighters, Paramedics,
Nurses, Physicians, Personal Support Workers, and Correctional Officers.
Thanks to the
leadership of Premier Ford, and his government, this Centre is fast becoming a
reality. It will comprise of two new state-of-the-art facilities, Station 3434
in Toronto and the Caledon Wellness Centre, situated on a beautiful 26-acre
forested site in the Region of Peel. Recognizing the need for this
one-of-a-kind facility, the Region of Peel allocated this expansive site as the
future home of the Caledon Wellness Centre. These facilities will provide First
Responders with access to a full spectrum of care designed just for them, from
assessment and diagnosis to prevention, treatment, post-treatment, and
return-to-work services.
As part of the
PTSI Centre of Excellence, Runnymede Healthcare Centre will launch a digital
platform that ensures
virtual services are accessible for every First Responder across Ontario.
Led
by our President and CEO, Connie Dejak, we are proud to be breaking barriers
and forging new paths for PTSI rehabilitative
care that will not only support First Responders who sacrifice so much for the
benefit of our communities, but also their families. And we have done so in partnerships with First Responder Commands and
Associations and health stakeholders across Ontario
to ensure we are developing a comprehensive, evidenced-based PTSI program.
From day one,
the Ford government has stood behind our commitment to build an environment
where Ontario's First Responders and their families are given the support they
need to heal and thrive.
We will
continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health to further refine our
programs and services and ensure that they remain accessible for all those who
need them.
As
Runnymede Healthcare Centre moves toward construction, our next steps will be
to complete necessary engineering and environmental studies, preparing design
development, and acquiring municipal approvals.
We
are on track to get shovels in the ground in 2024.
Now is the time to invest in the health of our communities – and there
couldn’t be a greater opportunity to do that than through supporting the very
people who keep our communities safe. In the near future, Runnymede Healthcare
Centre will be launching a fundraising campaign to ensure we keep up the great
momentum. To learn more about how you can support, please get in touch with us
at media.relations@runnymedehc.ca
On behalf of everyone at Runnymede Healthcare Centre, as well as the thousands of dedicated First Responders across the province and their families, we extend our deepest gratitude to Premier Ford, and his entire government for their unwavering support and tireless advocacy. Together, we are making a difference and helping First Responders get back to work and back to life. Serving those who have proudly served us.