A new surgical unit will be constructed at UPMC Chautauqua in Jamestown. P-J file photo

UPMC Chautauqua in Jamestown has been awarded nearly $30 million for the construction of a new surgical unit at the health-care facililty located on Foote Avenue. The $29,841,205 in funding was part of more than $658 million to support 127 projects that aim to protect and transform New York State’s health care delivery system.

“We are very excited to be the recipient of a nearly $30 million State Health Care Facility Transformation Grant to construct a brand-new surgical unit on the first floor of the hospital,” said Brian Durniok, UPMC Chautauqua president. “As we continue caring for patients in Jamestown and our surrounding communities on an ever-growing scale, investing in our facilities will ensure enhanced access to care for our patients.”

Administered by the state Department of Health and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program will help to improve patient care by supporting high-quality facilities serving the inpatient, primary care, mental health, substance use disorder and long-term care needs of communities throughout the state.

“New Yorkers deserve access to quality health care and a strong, stable, and equitable health care system,” Hochul said. “These grants will provide critical funding for improvements at hospitals and other facilities throughout our state to ensure they deliver the top rate care New Yorkers deserve.”

Hochul’s office said the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program is aimed at supporting efforts to reduce health care costs and improve the health outcomes of New Yorkers by expanding access to inpatient, primary, preventative, and other ambulatory care services as part of regionally integrated health care delivery systems. These awards are also focused on projects which will help ensure the financial sustainability of safety net health care providers, and the preservation or expansion of essential health care services.

“These funds will enable our health care providers and facilities to further modernize and integrate health care services to ensure that New Yorkers receive access to the medical care they require now and for future generations,” Acting State Health Commissioner James McDonald said.

Not part of the proposal or mentioned in the release is the future status of the Brooks-TLC Hospital System Inc. in Dunkirk. The state set aside $74 million in 2016 and 2017 for a new facility that is to be built in Fredonia.

With spring and construction season only months away, the project remains in limbo going forward. During her visit to Dunkirk in January, Hochul noted there is more to be done.

“We’ll be happy to give you an update soon, but this is very important to our health team and they’re involved in conversations about keeping it viable,” she said. “It’s important. It’s a job creator, but also you need a place to go get care when you’re sick.”

Before February, a deal was struck between Brooks-TLC and the Dunkirk Local Development Corp. to transfer the property for $1 to the city agency when a new Brooks is built.