WOODSTOCK - George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure joined hospital officials, staff, community members and health care partners today to celebrate the official start of construction for the new Woodstock General Hospital.

Woodstock General Hospital broke ground on its new state-of-the-art health care facility, which will replace the existing hospital. The new facility will have capacity of up to 178 beds and will provide acute in-patient, ambulatory, rehabilitation and complex continuing care programs and services. It will provide patients and staff with a high quality healing environment and the latest technology in patient care and communications. At three-storeys high and 350,000 square feet, the new hospital will more than double the size of the current facility. The existing hospital opened in 1895 and has 120 beds. At the new hospital, health care professionals will offer a full-range of clinical services and programs, including:

  • Physiotherapy and rehabilitation services
  • Cardio-respiratory services
  • Pharmacy and laboratory services
  • A new inpatient rehabilitation program, in partnership with community agencies;
  • A diagnostic Imaging (DI) department using the latest in digital imaging technologies for diagnosis and to reduce patient wait times
  • Surgical services
  • Inpatient medical/surgical beds
  • Critical care and complex continuing care
  • A maternal/child/women's health unit
  • Inpatient and outpatient acute mental health services.

“Our government is undertaking Ontario's largest ever hospital reform initiative and the most ambitious infrastructure plan in a generation,” said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minster of Energy and Infrastructure. “But this project is more than simply increasing capacity and building better facilities. Ultimately it is about improving the quality of people's lives and providing families in Woodstock and the surrounding community with enhanced care close to home. And I'm proud to be here today to celebrate this great achievement.”

Integrated Team Solutions (ITS) is the consortia responsible for building, financing and maintaining the new facility. The ITS team includes EllisDon, LPF Infrastructure Fund, Honeywell, CIT, Sunlife Assurance Company, Great West Life and Industrial Alliance.

Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2011. At the peak of construction, there will be approximately 200 workers on site daily.

“This is an extremely exciting day for our staff and our community. It marks a significant stride in our commitment to provide the people we serve with high quality health care,” said Natasa Veljovic, President and CEO of Woodstock General Hospital.

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with Woodstock General Hospital to redevelop the facility, which will remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable. Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to managing some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects - ensuring they are built on time and on budget.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.

Contacts:

Amy Tang
Minister's Office
Energy and Infrastructure
416-327-6747

Vicki Davey
Woodstock General Hospital
519-421-4226

Jennifer Sclisizzi
Infrastructure Ontario
416-325-7409    

Natasa Veljovic
Woodstock General Hospital
519-421-4211

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