Minister of Health and Deputy Premier of Ontario Sylvia Jones visited the Providence Transitional Care Centre on Friday, Aug. 12, located at the former St. Mary’s of the Lake hospital site purchased by Queen’s University in 2017. Queen’s is now leasing the former Gibson Wing to Providence Care for this specialized health facility.

Minister Jones was welcomed by Jane Philpott, Dean of Health Sciences and Chief Executive Officer of the Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Organization (SEAMO). Dr. Philpott provided a guided tour of the centre alongside Providence Care President and CEO Cathy Szabo. The Providence Transitional Care Centre, located at 340 Union St., provides on-site care for individuals who no longer require acute care in hospital but are not yet ready to go home. It also provides key support services, including spiritual care, social work, discharge planning, and home and community care. The centre is funded by the Ministry of Health. 

As part of the tour, Minister Jones met with officials and staff from SEAMO, Providence Care, and Queen’s University. These health partners and others, including Kingston Health Sciences Centre and the Frontenac Lennox and Addington Ontario Health Team, are working together to reduce the challenge of hallway medicine in acute care hospitals and better meet the health care needs of our aging populations. Designed to improve access to primary care, the partners are developing a person-centric health home model offering patients care from an interdisciplinary team of health professionals. This model is designed to meet patients’ healthcare needs while curbing emergency room visits and hospital admissions.

During her time in Kingston, Minister Jones also toured the emergency department and laboratory at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. At the hospital she also spoke with health care providers and administrators from hospitals across Southeastern Ontario, including Brockville General Hospital, and Quinte Health Centre on the current challenges facing hospitals and future opportunities for health care.

Minister Jones was appointed to the role of health minister and deputy premier in June 2022.

Learn more about how Queen's University is working with local partners to improve health care in Kingston and region.