County’s new hospital build moves to stage four of five

Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith, Dr. Sarah Le Blanc, Mayor Steve Ferguson and QHC CEO Stacey Daub at the announcement, Tuesday, of the County’s hospital moving to stage four of five of its capital planning process.

Prince Edward County’s new hospital is officially moving to the fourth stage of five, paving the way to go to tender.

Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith made the announcement Tuesday morning, behind the current hospital which is the site of the new build.

Typically, he noted, stage four lasts between 18-24 months which leads to a construction start in the spring of 2024 with completion by 2027.

“Stage four means finalizing drawings and getting cost estimates for each specific item. And it also means putting this hospital out to tender to find and approve a builder,” said Smith, adding it also gives QHC the ability to ask the Ministry of Health for funding to proceed and that could come next year. And by early 2024, we should have shovels in the ground on this site – that would be step five.”

Some work will be visible right away, Smith said, adding the government has approved capital expenditure for early work to move the helipad – likely in the fall – to accommodate the build.

“This is important to the people who call the County home to make sure that we have appropriate health care that we need in this community,” said Smith, “And the team at QHC has also been working diligently on your behalf over several years. One-by-one the Back the Build pledges have kept this project in the spotlight and many hands have moved it along. Today I’m pleased to once again reaffirm that we’re going to get it done for Prince Edward County.”

“So for those of you who have been waiting, or doubting, this is the time to get out and support the Back the Build campaign to bring us over the finish line.”

The new hospital will have a 24-hour emergency department, 18 inpatient beds (expandable to 23), diagnostic imaging, a surgical suite, dialysis unit and ambulatory care.

QHC President and CEO Stacey Daub told the crowd gathered that she has witnessed a community that has stood behind its hospital.

“That’s what makes a hospital strong. Not just the organizations that are involved, but it’s community standing right behind it… There’s no turning back from stage four. We are cemented in our process to build a beautiful hospital for our community.”

Daub thanked Smith and asked he pass on thanks to Health Minister Christine Elliott, who she said had been a relentless champion in her tenure for smaller and rural hospitals.

“She’s the first health minister in the history of my career who recognized the importance and really has driven through substantive change, both to the funding formulas and how they’re supported, but also on the working capital issues. She really has left quite a legacy.”

Daub also thanked the hospital’s foundation, donors from the community and the mayor and council for continued support.

She also thanked the doctors, nurses and all team members at the hospital.

“They are the most relentless, compassionate, hard-working individuals and they are really what’s going to carry us through into the future,” said Daub, noting many have participated over the years in re-designs and steering committees, “as have many other people who have participated in the process and really put their heart and soul in building the future of our new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.”

Prince Edward County mayor Steve Ferguson agreed “the relentless commitment to this redevelopment project has been unwavering and extraordinary” and recalled Daub comparing the process to a marathon, rather than a sprint.

“And as a marathoner will tell you, success is a lot easier to achieve with others supporting you every step of the way… And we look forward to cheering it on as we make the final push toward the finish line, which we look forward to in 2024 when we gather here again with shovels in hands.”