Government's Investment Will Help to Improve Health Care Services
TORONTO - Today is the last day for pre-qualified building teams to submit bids to build and finance a new hospital on the existing Runnymede Healthcare Centre site.
Once completed, the new hospital will provide complex continuing care to adults of all ages and increase the number of beds from 95 to 200. Services currently offered such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, communication and swallowing therapy, audiology services, respiratory therapy, customized dietary programs, recreation therapy, social services, pharmacy, and around-the-clock nursing and medical care will be expanded and enhanced.
“This project is one of many hospitals that we're committed to in ReNew Ontario, the government's $30-billion plus infrastructure investment plan, to renew and modernize infrastructure,” said David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. “This plan ensures value for taxpayer dollars as we build strong, prosperous communities.”
"Ontario's hospitals are an integral part of our health care system," said George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. "Our investment will provide even better care in facilities that are modern, well-maintained, safe and comfortable for patients."
The bids will be evaluated over the next few months and a successful bidder is expected to be named in Fall 2007. Construction is expected to begin shortly after.
“We are excited to see this project moving forward,” said Connie Dejak, President & Chief Executive Officer, Runnymede Healthcare Centre. “This redevelopment project will ensure that patients at Runnymede Healthcare Centre continue to receive exceptional care in a new facility that addresses the increasing demand for our specialty services.”
Infrastructure Ontario will work with Runnymede Healthcare Centre to develop the new hospital, 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.
This project is guided by principles outlined in the Province's Building a Better Tomorrow framework, which ensures public ownership of core assets such as hospitals, schools, and water and wastewater facilities. The Runnymede Healthcare Centre project is one of many infrastructure projects being upgraded and modernized under ReNew Ontario, the government's five-year, $30-billion plus public infrastructure investment plan.
Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.
Contacts:
Amy Tang
Minister's Office
Public Infrastructure Renewal
416-325-4048
Jennifer Sclisizzi
Infrastructure Ontario
416-325-7409
Ian MacEachern
Runnymede Healthcare Centre
416-762-7316