Oct. 22, 2007/- A majority of people in Southeastern Ontario want their municipality to support the redevelopment of the university hospitals of Kingston, according to a new public opinion survey. The survey by COMPAS Research shows that a huge majority – some 85 per cent – want all levels of government, including local government, to make health care a priority.

“The people have spoken on this issue. We asked them if they agreed with us that local government should contribute to hospitals capital reconstruction and they overwhelmingly said yes. This was true for people in the City of Kingston, but also for those who live across Southeastern Ontario,” said Roger Wright, Chair of the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, the fundraising arm of Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care.

The Foundation is currently looking for a total of nearly $25 million from all municipalities served by the hospitals.

The phone survey was carried out by professional interviewers in the latter half of September, 2007 among a representative sample of 320 adults in the university hospitals of Kingston service area. Approximately half were from municipalities outside the City of Kingston. The results are deemed accurate to within approximately 6 percentage points 19 times out of 20. By convention, each half sample would be deemed accurate to within approximately 8 percentage points 19 times out of 20.

Residents were asked to agree or disagree with reasons why municipal governments should support hospital redevelopment. A majority agreed with the idea that “all levels of government should consider health a priority responsibility” (85% support vs. 9% oppose) and that people in the region should be able to “feel that they are getting the same level of access to health care as those in other communities” (81% vs. 8%). Residents outside the City of Kingston tended to agree as much as City residents.

Residents were also asked how much money should be transferred per household from municipal government to hospital capital funds. The average response was $197.60 per household per year. The amount was higher among those who live outside the City ($167.80 on average for City residents and $231.20 for those outside the City). Almost no one suggested that local governments provide no assistance.

“We’re surprised, but pleased that the poll showed that people want local governments to strongly support redevelopment. The good news for area municipalities is that we’re asking for only a fraction of the amount the poll suggested,” said Wright.

The amount the Foundation is requesting from each municipality is based primarily on the number of patient visits or usage by that community.

On October 2nd, the Foundation made a request for support from the City of Kingston – the largest of all the requests to area municipalities. The Foundation requested a $10 million pledge, which translates into $20.46 per household per year if the pledge is spread over a 10 year period. The City was also asked for a grant equivalent to 50 per cent of the taxes the City will receive from construction. The grant is expected to be about $6 million.

The redevelopment of the university hospitals of Kingston is estimated to be more than $370 million (the actual cost is subject to tender). The Province has committed to pay for 90 per cent of eligible construction costs. The community is expected to contribute the remaining 10% of the costs, as well as covering the entire cost of the equipment required. The community portion, known as the “local share”, will likely amount to an estimated $50 million or more.

Regional municipalities in places like Sudbury, Windsor and Sarnia have contributed to their hospital campaigns in the range of $20 to $30 million.

The full survey is available online at the Foundation web site www.kingstonhospitalsfoundation.ca (click on “The Answer Must Be Yes”) and also at www.compas.ca.

University Hospitals Kingston Foundation is the fundraising arm for Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care. Created in 2005, the Foundation raises money for programs, equipment, education and research that benefit the 500,000 people in Kingston and Southeastern Ontario served by the three teaching hospitals. To find out more about giving opportunities or to make a donation call 613-549-5452 or toll-free 866-549-5452 or go online to www.kingstonhospitalsfoundation.ca.