Part of over $1.1 billion investment to support operational improvements and ensure Ontarians can continue to access high-quality hospital care in their community
June 2026
ST. THOMAS — The Ontario government is investing just over $29 million to support improved operations and reduced wait times at London Health Sciences Centre, St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Healthcare, London. This funding is part of a $1.1 billion investment into our hospital sector as part of Budget 2026, A Plan to Protect Ontario, which represents a 4 per cent increase in annual support for the fourth year in a row.
“We are very fortunate to have such excellent hospitals in our communities, including London Health Sciences Centre, St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Health Care London”, said Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London. “This investment will help them continue delivering high-quality care close to home, while improving access to emergency and surgical services, reducing wait times, and supporting the dedicated frontline staff who care for families across our region every day.”
This investment will help strengthen day-to-day operations across London Health Sciences Centre, St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Health Care London, ensuring they can continue to meet the growing needs of patients and families across Elgin–Middlesex–London. It will support core clinical services, including keeping emergency and urgent care departments open and fully staffed, while also helping hospitals manage inflation and other cost pressures affecting frontline care. Importantly, it will help reduce wait times for key diagnostic and surgical services such as MRI and CT scans, cardiac care, stroke and neuro services, orthopedics, and cataract procedures, so patients can access the care they need more quickly and closer to home.
“Our government is making historic investments to protect Ontario’s health-care system, ensuring that more people in Elgin-Middlesex-London can connect to the care they need, where and when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment will allow these three local hospitals to continue delivering the highest standard of care while reducing wait lists and wait times for patients and families, for generations to come.”
Ontario continues to make historic investments in health care. Over the next 10 years, Ontario is investing approximately $64 billion in major health infrastructure. This is part of the government’s plan to get shovels in the ground on more than 50 major hospital projects across the province, which will deliver approximately 3,000 new hospital beds to enhance access to quality care and build a connected, people-first health-care system.
Through Your Health: A Plan For Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is expanding access to key services to provide people with the right care, in the right place, close to come.
QUICK FACTS
- London Health Sciences Centre ($19,399,000)
London Health Sciences Centre serves patients from across London and a broad surrounding region, including much of Southwestern Ontario. As one of the province’s largest acute care and teaching hospital networks, it provides specialized services including trauma care, cardiac care, oncology, stroke, and complex surgical procedures for a large catchment area well beyond the city itself. - St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital ($4,948,100)
St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital serves residents of St. Thomas and the wider Elgin County community. It plays a critical role as a community hospital, providing essential emergency care, inpatient services, and a range of diagnostic and surgical services close to home for local families. - St. Joseph’s Health Care London ($4,667,000)
St. Joseph’s Health Care London serves patients from across London, Elgin–Middlesex–London, and beyond, with a strong focus on complex and specialized care. It is known for services including rehabilitation, chronic disease management, mental health care, and specialized outpatient and surgical programs that support patients with long-term and complex health needs. - The Ontario government is investing $257 million in 2025-26 to support critical infrastructure upgrades and repairs at 126 hospitals and 66 community health-care facilities across the province, a 12.3 per cent increase from the previous year.
- In 2025-26, London Health Sciences Centre received $26,043,400, St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital received $3,758,800, and St. Joseph’s Health Care, London received $7,945,900 through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund, to support the critical infrastructure needs of its hospitals.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- 2026 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario
- Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care
MEDIA CONTACTS
Emily Bradshaw
Office of Rob Flack, MPP