The population of Essex County is growing, so the need for more hospital beds is increasing, and Erie Shores Healthcare has secured funding for 14 new ones.
Chatham-Kent-Leamington MP Trevor Jones and Essex MPP Anthony Leardi announced $6.1-million for 12 acute care beds and $1.1-million for two more in the intensive care unit.
That brings the total bed capacity at the hospital in Leamington to 72.
"Ensuring our residents have the care they need, when and where they need it, is a core promise of our government," said Leardi. "The $7.2-million investment demonstrates this commitment."
The province is investing $850-million in hospitals this year and next, representing a four per cent increase in hospital operating funding over 2022-23.
According to an official plan review conducted by the County of Essex, the county's population could grow to 315,000 by 2050.