Ontario Expanding Access to Diagnostic Imaging and Surgeries in Durham Region

February 4, 2026

DURHAM — The Ontario Government is taking action to reduce wait times and expand
access to critical health-care services by approving up to $81 million in one-time funding
to support 324,000 additional Computed Tomography (CT) scan hours at 86 hospitals
across the province in 2025–26.

As part of this investment, Lakeridge Health in the Region of Durham will receive
$2,545,750 to increase CT scan capacity, helping patients access timely diagnostic
imaging closer to home.

In addition, the Ontario Government is providing Incremental Surgical Funding to
hospitals to support more surgeries and reduce surgical backlogs. This funding will help
hospitals complete additional procedures, including neurosurgeries, orthopedic
surgeries such as hip and knee replacements, gynecologic surgeries, cataract
surgeries, hernia surgeries, and pediatric surgeries, among others. Through this
initiative, Lakeridge Health will receive $172,700.

“Our government is making targeted investments to reduce wait times and improve
access to care for patients in Whitby and across the Durham Region,” said Lorne Coe,
MPP for Whitby, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children, Community and
Social Services, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges, Universities,
Research Excellence, and Security. “By increasing access to diagnostic imaging and
supporting additional surgeries at Lakeridge Health, we are helping ensure families in
Whitby and across the Durham Region can get the care they need, when they need it,
closer to home.”

“Timely diagnostic imaging is critical to helping patients in Durham access the care they
need,” said Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham, Minister of the Environment,
Conservation and Parks, and acting Minister of Infrastructure. “By investing in additional
CT imaging hours at Lakeridge Health and funding more surgeries and procedures, our
government is taking action to reduce surgical backlogs and provide access to the right
care, at the right time, in the right place.”

“This investment will make a real difference for patients and families in Durham,
ensuring our local hospitals have the tools they need to deliver timely, high-quality
care,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge, and Minister of Finance. “By
expanding diagnostic imaging and surgical capacity at Lakeridge Health, we are
strengthening community health care and helping people get the care they need, closer
to home.”

These investments are part of Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care,
the government’s plan to modernize Ontario’s health-care system, expand access to
critical services, and ensure patients receive the right care, at the right time.

QUOTES

“Today’s announcement brings us closer to our vision of One System. Best Health. This
investment enables Lakeridge Health to continue reducing wait times while expanding
access to critical surgical and diagnostic imaging services for the people of Durham
Region. We’re deeply grateful for this support, which helps us meet the growing health
care needs of one of Ontario’s fastest-growing regions.”

– Cynthia Davis, CEO, Lakeridge Health

“Continued investment in health care is essential to supporting the well‑being of Durham
residents. We appreciate the Province’s commitment to strengthening health care in
Durham Region and ensuring people can access the services they need close to home.
These investments help build a more responsive and accessible system that can meet
the needs of our growing region—today and for the future.”
– John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for The Regional Municipality
of Durham

MEDIA CONTACT:
Eric Hutchins,
Office of Lorne Coe,
MPP Whitby
905-430-1141
Lorne.coeco@pc.ola.org