County’s new hospital build completes stage three of five

Prince Edward County’s new hospital has moved one step closer to shovels in the ground as work for stage three of the project is complete; approved by Quinte Healthcare and on its way to the Ministry of Health.

“Building a new hospital is definitely a marathon, and not a sprint – taking many years of work and planning leading up to construction,” said Stacey Daub, President and CEO, Quinte Health Care. “The support for this project has been relentless and has been the fuel needed to move us forward to this exciting stage.”

Over the past year, as While the COVID‐19 pandemic continued to monopolize much of the focus for hospitals over the past year, QHC teams stayed the course behind the scenes diving into the detailed design work needed for attaining approval for the new hospital build.

QHC anticipates the ministry review process will take a few months, with an approval anticipated by late spring, so work on stage four approval requirements can begin.

A five-stage planning process is required for capital developments in Ontario. QHC is working
closely on the redevelopment project with the Ministry of Health and Infrastructure Ontario.

Daub expressed gratitude for unwavering support of the Prince Edward County community, and for tremendous partnerships with the PECMH Foundation, PEC Family Health Team, PECMH Auxiliary, PEC municipal partners, MPP Todd
Smith and the Ontario government.

“Our small but mighty community of Prince Edward County has proven that when we believe in something and value it highly, we will move mountains to make it happen,” noted Barbara McConnell, Chairperson, PECMH Foundation, tasked with fundraising the community’s share of the project. “We are grateful for all the support to the Back the Build campaign that we have received from so many.”

The foundation’s fundraising campaign has reached $15.8 million of its $16.5 million goal to fund the ‘local share’ paying for a portion of construction and all the equipment for the new hospital. The province funds 90 per cent of capital costs for construction – up to $100 million. Shovels are expected to go into the ground in 2024 with doors open in 2027.

In 2014, local health care partners committed to working collaboratively toward building a new hospital in Prince Edward County – designed to fully align with current building codes and the latest infection control standards. The building will total approximately 96,000 square feet and be laid out on two levels. The layout includes key departments such as the emergency department, ambulatory clinics and the inpatient unit co‐located on the first floor. The second floor includes dialysis, administration and mechanical services spaces.