Sault hospital on track to finish the year $20M in the red
Unless there is more funding from the province, the Sault Area Hospital is expected to finish the year with a budget deficit of more than $20 million.
The stark message was delivered this week by hospital CEO Ila Watson at a meeting of the hospital's board of directors.
Watson told the Sept. 23 meeting that last year, also SAH faced a huge deficit before funding for Bill 124 compensation adjustments were confirmed late in the year.
The last-minute funding meant the hospital actually posted a $2.1 million surplus.
"Had it not been for that funding, we would have had a deficit of about $7.5 million at the end of 2023-24," Watson said in her report to the board.
This year's budget, which maintained all existing services and anticipating increased demand in the emergency department, was approved by the board in the spring.
"Uncertainty about funding in the hospital sector remains high, and we are facing funding issues similar to other hospitals in the province," Watson said.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
Sault Area Hospital CEO Ila Watson delivered the budget deficit warning at a meeting of the hospital's board of directors Sept. 23 (File).
"Based on funding that has been confirmed to us by Ontario Health for 2024-25, we anticipate our operating plan will result in a deficit in excess of $20 million. The size of the deficit may change if additional funding is provided."
While things are looking bleak right now, Watson said Ontario Health "is gathering information from all hospitals about their forecasts for the year."
"We may receive direction requiring us to develop a recovery plan," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING PM Trudeau's Liberal government survives first confidence vote of the fall
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has survived his first confidence vote of the fall sitting. Members of Parliament voted on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's attempt to bring down the Liberal government after question period on Wednesday, and the non-confidence motion was defeated.
'It is time to leave': Joly to meet with Lebanese PM amid Israel-Hezbollah conflict
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says she will meet with Lebanon's prime minister in New York on Saturday amid the escalating conflict between Israel and militant group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
'She was victimized by a predator': B.C. court reverses transfer of $1.4M townhouse in elder abuse case
A man who "systematically isolated, manipulated, deceived, abused, and exploited" an elderly North Vancouver woman has lost his ownership stake in her home.
Doug Ford says he wants to build a tunnel under Hwy. 401
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he wants to build a tunnel under Highway 401 that would stretch from Brampton to Scarborough.
Yogurt recalled in Canada over risk of illness
A major yogurt maker is recalling one of its brands in Canada over concerns that it may cause illness in immunocompromised people.
Amadeus? Amadeus!: Lost childhood manuscript of Mozart discovered in Germany
Careful listeners of Mozart may notice an unfamiliar melody attributed to his childhood works in their streaming feeds this week.
1 in 3 children worldwide is now nearsighted, study shows
More than a third of children around the world were nearsighted in 2023, and this proportion will rise to almost 40 per cent in 2050, according to new research.
Mortgage changes: Cheaper entry into housing market at steeper costs
Mortgage rule changes allow easier entry into the housing market with lower monthly payments, but also an increased cost of repaying a mortgage.
Coverage denied: Canadians hitting roadblocks with insurers after installing solar panels on their homes
More Canadians are installing solar panels on their homes, but some are facing challenges when it comes to getting home insurance after the panels are put in.