January 21, 2015
1066
A proposal to update and redevelop the Kincardine hospital could cost up to $35-million, and Kincardine could be on the hook for about $14-million of that cost.
That's the word from Paul Rosebush, president and chief executive officer of the South Bruce Grey Health Centre which includes the hospital sites in Kincardine, Walkerton, Chesley and Durham.
Speaking to Kincardine council, in committee-of-the-whole last night (Jan. 21), Rosebush said that back in December he gave a tour of the hospital to Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie, and members of Huron-Kinloss council.
He said the original proposal for a new hospital was submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in 2005. The ministry gave the health centre a $750,000 planning grant to advance the project in 2007. The plan was completed in 2010 and forwarded to the ministry for approval. The plan was approved in August, 2011, but then cancelled by the provincial government following the Ontario election in November, 2011.
That proposal was for a $100-million new hospital, built in two phases, with Kincardine on the hook for 10-per-cent of the cost, plus furnishings and equipment in the new building.
"The community was terribly disappointed when that project was pulled," said Rosebush. "Kincardine needs a new, modern facility to serve the 18,000 patients per year that use this hospital."
He said the hospital is 60 years old and "very tired," adding that many of the components are at the end of their lifecycle.
"It will cost a lot to upgrade what we have," he said, "but in the current economic climate, we're not going to get a new hospital in Kincardine."
Rosebush said the health centre board submitted a revised plan to the ministry in August, 2014. The main areas of concern are the second floor ambulatory care department, the emergency department, the laboratory, diagnostic imaging department, and the boilers.
He noted that a recent fire inspection indicated that 19 doors do not meet requirements and must be replaced, and the emergency generator is overloaded with no spare capacity for additional equipment.
The new plan will re-purpose the existing building, said Rosebush, adding space at the front of the hospital, and building a new emergency room next to the main entrance. The lab will be re-located and upgraded, ambulatory care will be relocated to the main floor and upgraded, and diagnostic imaging will be upgraded. There will be new ambulance lanes with improved access to the emergency room, better patient flow and access to services through improved design features, new building services to power and support the redeveloped area of the building, and new space in the basement level to house services and create extra capacity for the future.
"The Kincardine hospital requires immediate attention and redevelopment as many parts of it are rapidly aging," said Rosebush, adding that the South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) endorses the project and has sent its support to the ministry.
"What we need from council and the community is to bring awareness about the need for this hospital redevelopment in this community," said Rosebush. "The sticker price for this revised project is about $25-million, but it'll likely come in at about $30-million to $35-million."
In answer to questions from council, Rosebush said the original formula for municipal and community contribution was about 10 per cent, but that has now changed to 30-40 per cent. However, there is no solid formula these days, he added.
"Thank you for your presentation," said councillor Maureen Couture. "I support the hospital redevelopment. We need to work together to get this through."
As for the timeline, Rosebush said the ministry holds planning sessions once per year, and this year's has already passed, so the project would not be considered until 2016's planning cycle.
He said the hospital has four boilers which are nearly done. Replacement cost is about $500,000 each for a total price of $2-million.
"We received great support from Bruce Power's employees, but that money went to provide better equipment at the hospital," said Rosebush.
"Thank you for your efforts," said Eadie. "The hospital board is dedicated to this project and has worked very hard, following along the bureaucratic trail. The community is 100-per-cent behind you. We will work together to get more support and lobby for this hospital redevelopment."
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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