Health

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Plans for the Southampton Hospital Emergency Room (ER) and Lab expansion are moving ahead according to Mary Margaret Crapper, Director of Communications & Public Relations for Grey Bruce Health Services (GBHS).

"We are currently in the design planning stage and then the work will go out to tender so that we can start construction as soon as possible in 2013," says Crapper.

The request for the upgrades has been five years in the planning and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term care recently approved the project although the actual final size is to be determined. 

The Southampton ER handles almost 17,000 cases annually with numbers increasing during the summer due to the influx of tourists and visitors to the area.

According to GBHS, the project is anticipated to cost approximately $10million with 90 per cent of the cost funded by the province and the remainder by the community.

The project was also contingent on GBHS maintaining ER physician coverage at 75 per cent by March 31, 2012 and then at 100 per cent by March 31, 2013.  Physician recruitment continues with the assistance of the Bruce Power/Saugeen Shores/Municipality of Kincardine joint doctor recruitment committee.

The initial lab improvements recently have resulted in more room for staff and patients.

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Thursday, January 12, 2012