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Mitchell announces Kincardine hospital redevelopment project is approved for 2015 By Liz Dadson |
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 Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell (C) waits to make her announcement, flanked by John Haggerty (L), past chairman of the South Bruce Grey Health Centre, and current chairman Don Bushell, Friday afternoon at the Kincardine hospital site  Ready to join in the announcement at the Kincardine hospital are Gerry Moss (L), representing the Southwest Local Health Integration Network (LHIN); Gregg McClelland, chairman of the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation; Dr. Lisa Roth, site chief for Kincardine; and Kincardine mayor Larry Kraemer  Paul Davies, chief executive officer of the South Bruce Grey Health Centre, unveils an artist's rendering of the proposed Kincardine hospital redevelopment, linked to the Kincardine Community Medical Clinic, with a common entrance way  Representatives of the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation and the Kincardine hospital auxiliary gather with the artist's drawing of the redevelopment project: Dotty McClelland (L), Jack Nancekivell, Ginny Ross, Kaye MacDonald, Anne Nicolson, Joan Ritchie, Donna Mowry, Sheila Elliott, and Marie Book |
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It's been a long time coming, but Phase 1 of the multi-million-dollar redevelopment project at the Kincardine hospital site has finally been approved by the provincial government. Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell, agriculture minister, was on hand Friday afternoon at the hospital, to make the announcement that the hospital renovation is on the list of capital projects for 2015. Paul Davies, chief executive officer of the South Bruce Grey Health Centre which operates hospital sites in Kincardine, Walkerton, Durham and Chesley, said the project will provide community access to a new state-of-the-art facility, greatly improving access to health care along with ensuring the long-term sustainability of the hospital programs and services in the Kincardine area.
Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell Mitchell said plans for this redevelopment date back to 2007 when the health centre received a planning grant to put together a proposal. "In 2009, there were 5,000 orphan patients in Kincardine," said Mitchell. "In 2010, the LHIN approved the redevelopment project at the Kincardine site. And last year, the Family Health Team was approved at Kincardine and will be up and running this fall. "There are now no orphan patients in Kincardine, and everyone can register with a doctor. This is a result of everyone working together and that deserves a round of applause." She credited the local hospital administration, the board, the foundation, the health professionals, and the municipality for bringing this renovation together and pursuing it through the proper channels toward approval. "This investment represents a commitment by our government to continue providing quality health care close to home for my constituents, now and into the future," said Mitchell.
South Bruce Grey Health Centre CEO Paul Davies Davies unveiled an artist's rendering of what the redeveloped hospital could look like. It is a very preliminary sketch, showing the Kincardine Community Medical Clinic to the right (east side), and the new hospital building to the left (west side), with a common main entrance. Don Bushell, chairman of the health centre board, said this is great news for the hospital, for the patients, the physicians and the staff in Kincardine. "It will improve health care for everyone and provide a better working environment for our staff." He thanked Mitchell for her support in pushing this proposal through all the bureaucratic "red tape." Kincardine mayor Larry Kraemer echoed those sentiments, thanking Mitchell for helping to free up the kind of provincial money required for this project. Initial estimates put Phase 1 and 2 of the redevelopment at $100-million, with the community on the hook for 10 per cent of that cost. That proposal was presented to Kincardine council in January, 2010. The phased approach would see a single-storey addition built, followed by a demolition of the existing hospital. The first phase, which would cost about $43-million, would have new space for emergency and ambulatory care, laboratory, health records and pharmacy, education and diagnostic imaging, and new mechanical and electrical services. The second phase, which would cost about $56-million, would house surgical services and inpatient units. Mitchell's announcement was for Phase 1 which will connect the hospital to the current clinic; redevelop the emergency department; expand ambulatory care services, education and diagnostic imaging; and create a new plant and building services department. "This is thrilling news," said Dr. Lisa Roth, site chief at Kincardine, on behalf of the local physicians.
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 Dr. Lisa Roth (L), Kincardine site chief, and Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell pose with the artist's rendering of the hospital redevelopment  Kate Kincaid (L), director of patient care at the Kincardine hospital site, and Ollie Regier, supervisor of patient care, stand with a sketch of the redevelopment proposal Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell announces the major renovation project at the Kincardine hospital site "Providing health care in a small town can be tricky at times," she said. "It's a delicate balance of the number of nurses, staff and physicians, the physical plant, and the support of the community. This project is a long time coming. If you talk to some of the senior doctors, there were many attempts over the past 30 years, to fund additions to the hospital. "This is great for the community, but it's a great responsibility for the community (in fund-raising)." Davies said over the next three years, the project will require the support of the community, before a spade goes into the ground in 2015. "We have only three years to do all the work, leading up to that," he said. "Besides the fund-raising, there's electrical and mechanical work to be done." Gerry Moss, representative of the Southwest Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), said this is a wonderful day for Kincardine and area residents, and for the children of the future. "This redevelopment will ensure that local residents get the right care, in the right place, at the right time," he said. Gregg McClelland, chairman of the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation, thanked Mitchell for the announcement - and all the extra fund-raising work! "This is the fourth application in the past two decades and finally it's been approved," he said. "Hurray for Kincardine and community. This is truly an historic day." He said the foundation will set up a task force to undertake the enormous fund-raising effort in the community for this project. "If we do a good enough job, Phase 2 won't be too far down the road. Let's go, Kincardine!" Following the announcement, Mitchell told the press that no actual figures are available until the tenders go out in 2015, but the community must come up with 10 per cent of the cost, with the province bearing 90 per cent. However, she admitted that this all falls apart if the Liberals are not re-elected in the Oct. 6 election. "The opposition has no money for health infrastructure," she said. "We have billions of dollars committed to improving education and health care in Ontario." Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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