The Toronto Grace Hospital saved

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Since last March, The Toronto Grace Hospital has been under threat of closure. This hospital saves lives and holds a historical place in Torontonians Hearts.

The Salvation Army announced two weeks ago that they will no longer fund Grace. Beginning as a rescue home in 1889 The Salvation Army has provided Toronto residents with care. At one time running four hospitals in Toronto, they decided that they would no longer be in the hospital business.

Thankfully last week the organization decided not to withdraw their funds, thus saving the Toronto Grace. Ten years ago, the Salvation Army was running four Hospitals in Ontario, now only one. When the people of Toronto heard that the Hospital; a pillar in Toronto for Health, was closing down they rose to action.

Employees, community members and patients all rallied together to make a stand and protest the closing. In the parking lot of Toronto Grace, Torontonians told stories of how affective the Health care had been there in the past, and how it was essential to the future.

Being a 119 bed palliative and complex continuing care facility that has provided care in the heart of downtown Toronto for the past 100 years, losing this establishment would have been harmful to the community. The Hospital is located on Church Street just south of Bloor Street.

The Salvation Army Captain John Murray came to an agreement with the Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews over the fate of the hospital. After Deb Matthews office made some suggestions to the governing council of the charity they were finally able to reconsider.

With the uproar that happened over the Hospital closing down the Government decided to help out as well. Now not only is the Hospital not being closed, but they will be receiving an upgrade as well. The Liberal Government has decided to donate some where between $12 and $15 Million Dollars to help out Toronto Grace Hospital over the next three years.

For years now Grace has requested infrastructure and capital improvement funding. While the community is awaiting the government's contributions, it is said the funding will be forthcoming once the site and the Salvation Army's requests are assessed and reviewed. A building that has been around for so long needs help and that's what is going to happen.

This is a happy time for Health Care in Toronto. There are many Hospitals and important establishments that will struggle and be closed down in our time, but it is truly inspiring to see the community of Toronto pull together and saved a pillar of its Health Community.

- Briony Douglas -