IS THERE ANY NEWS ABOUT OUR NEW HOSPITAL?
February 1, 2010
Maureen Solecki
President & CEO, Grey Bruce Health Services
Yes, although not yet the definitive statement we are all waiting for. The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has expressed its interest in planning for an integrated health care facility that would bring multiple services together in one location. With this in mind Grey Bruce Health Services (GBHS) is involved in discussions with the South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) about the concept of a Rural Health Centre that would accommodate the new hospital, the South East Grey Community Health Centre (SEG CHC) and physician offices.
We are working aggressively with the LHIN and the SEG CHC Steering Committee to submit the relevant information and plans to the Ministry. Our objective is to make sure that final plans for the new hospital and other health care services are in line with community needs as well as provincial health policy and priorities.
The approval process for new hospital construction in Ontario is a very slow one. It’s hard for us to remain patient when we know the need is great and the community has demonstrated its commitment through overwhelming support of the hospital building campaign. Nevertheless, I believe the Ministry’s interest in an integrated health-care facility is a strong signal that this community’s health care needs are an important priority.
We will work very closely with the SEG CHC Steering Committee, the South West LHIN and our local physicians to move this project forward. GBHS will do everything in its power to gain approval for the construction of a new hospital that the Centre Grey community deserves so much.
Change in Hospital Plan for Markdale
November 3rd, 2009
By Don Crosby for The Markdale Standard
Proposed changes to the design for a new hospital in Markdale that would make it a rural health centre appear to have found favour with the provincial ministry of health and other government agencies.
A rural health centre would serve both the acute care and primary care health needs of the community and could be a model for the province in forming new rural health policy, said Maureen Solecki, President and CEO of Grey Bruce Health Services during a public information meeting held in Flesherton last week. Planning discussions are getting under way with the South West Local Health Integration Network.
“I would say they are very supportive of a rural health care centre in Markdale and have been working very closely with us on that . . . and ultimately the LHIN needs to approve any large capital project of this nature through the ministry of health. So they have been very supportive and been willing work with us in the planning process,” Solecki said.
Solecki told about 150 people at a public health forum in Flesherton on Tuesday evening (Oct. 27) that the hospital would continue to include all the acute care services and 24 hour emergency services, labs, day surgery, in patient and out patient services as wells as x-ray, laboratory and physiotherapy currently available.
The only trade off would be fewer in-patient hospital beds. But the advantages would include having a new medical clinic with up to nine doctors and the Community Health Centre with its doctors and more than a dozen ancillary health care workers all in one place next door to Grey Gables- the county retirement home.
A community health centre provides care for specific groups such as single mothers, in some cases first nations residents, and people with drug and mental health problems that are not covered by the other health care services and are without a doctor.
The community health care centre planned for south east Grey already has a guaranteed 2010-2011 operating budget of its own of $ 2.1 million to pay for up to 13,000 square feet of office space and 19 full time staff.
The idea of having a centralized rural health care centre isn’t new. It’s been promoted by local residents for several years now. But is just starting to find favour with the ministry of health officials. “It’s actually not as much a change as getting the government to see it the way we’ve always seen it,” said Dr. Hamilton Hall chair of the hospital planning board.
“Now they are coming to us and saying that’s a great idea. Why don’t we put it all in one place. . . The trick is to get them to think it’s their idea of how clever they are . . . and then it moves forward,” Hall said.
Hall is encouraged by the change in attitude on the part of the government with interest being shown from government agencies such as the capital branch and infrastructure Ontario that wouldn’t talk to local organizers for years.
“Now they are saying maybe we could put something together and fund a new rural health care project. We’re fine with this,” Hall said. Hall explained that Community Health Centres were designed for rural areas without hospitals or areas in large urban centers away from a hospital. Originally the idea was to have a new hospital in Markdale and community health centre in places like Flesherton, and Dundalk and Markdale and a separate doctors’ clinic.
“Well that makes sense in the cities but makes no sense in Markdale, makes no sense in a rural area. It’s taken us almost 10 years to get the urban thinking of government of why should you have a hospital on one street of Markdale and a Community Health Centre four streets over. That works in Toronto. That doesn’t work here,” Hall explained. “Now they are coming to us and saying that’s a great idea. Why don’t we put it all in one place,” he added.
Hall tried to allay the fears of some people at the meeting who worried that the rural health centre would dilute the services that are currently being provided by the hospital in Markdale.
“The good news is this is coalescing a lot of what we’ve always wanted into a government initiative. They’ll take it forward and we’ll go with them,” he said.
Hall warned against residents getting their hopes up that approval and funding would soon be happening while the province recovering from the E-health scandal and a showing huge deficit.
“But they have to come out of it and we stand in a very good position. There’s relatively small amount of money required, (it’s) a very popular idea. . .we are in a very good position,” said Hall who sees the rural health centre concept as the way of the future and Markdale on the verge of being the first in the province.
Solecki said so far only $900,000 has been spent on planning for the new hospital of a $3 million grant that former health minister George Smitherman gave the project several years ago. The ministry of health has yet to approve the next stage of planning but the funding is there when that approval is given.
Other speakers at Tuesday’s public information forum included Lera Ryan, chair of the physician recruitment and retention committee, Linda Martin from the Community Care Access Centre, Jo-Anne McConnell of GBHS who spoke on infection control and the need for frequent hand washing and Terry Mokriy of the South East Grey Community Health Centre.
Letters to the Editor
The Markdale Standard
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Dear Editor of the Markdale Standard, Ontario Premier McGuinty and Minister of Health David Caplan,
The Markdale community needs your help.
The area was hit by a tornado August 20 and has suffered another blow with the loss of the Chapman’s Ice Cream processing plant to fire on Friday, September 4. Buildings were destroyed in both catastrophies resulting in real threats to the incomes and welfare of families throughout the area.
Over five years ago, after consultation with the Ministry of Health, local physicians, engineers, other professionals and the community at large, your government challenged the community to grow a fund of $12 million toward the construction of a new hospital. If the money could be raised, the province would provide its share of the costs and the new facility would become a reality.
The money was raised in an amazingly short period of time and all eyes turned toward the government, excited about what was about to come. More consultation took place, a new and improved cost sharing program developed, drawings created and a site approved. A large sign was erected indicating where the new hospital is to be.
This new facility is to be a model for other areas to follow. A facility that could assist people in need of day-to-day emergencies, family health care, counseling and so on, including affiliation to a seniors’ long term care centre located next door. What a fabulous concept.
Both Minister Caplan and the previous Minister of Health, George Smitherman, have been briefed throughout the entire process and, according to all the reports we in the community have received, they have been positive and enthusiastic.
We are excited about our new hospital and the time is right to have construction begin. This community needs not only a boost to its economy but a boost to its morale. We look forward to seeing the building take shape.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
David Watson
Markdale
June 2009
There have been concerns expressed by some of our donors and some members of the community at large about the delay in commencement of construction of our new hospital.
This is totally understandable, particularly for those who contributed to the $13 million plus raised by the Foundation in cash and pledges. The cash segment is being held in trust for the donors in a designated category, apart from "General Funds" It is being very conservatively invested, along with a portion of the "General Funds" by an Investment Committee made up of four individuals with extensive experience in investing. Their decisions are made based, in large part, on recommendations received from their professional investment advisors, BMO Nesbitt Burns.
There follows a series of press articles which have appeared over the past two years which we believe will give the reader a great deal of comfort as to the ultimate "go ahead" announcement from the Ontario Government.
We, of Centre Grey Health Services Foundation, along with those involved at Grey Bruce Health Services, are confident that approval will be forthcoming. We just do not know when.
Sincerely,
Dick Kavanagh
Director, CGHSF
Smitherman Supports New Hospital
April 8, 2009
By Don Crosby for The Markdale Standard
The Deputy-Premier of Ontario spoke encouragingly last week about the future of the proposed new hospital in Markdale. George Smitherman said the next step is to get more detailed planning done to make the Markdale hospital project more construction ready.
“There’s a very high degree of awareness in our government of the necessity of doing that in Markdale. I’ve seen that facility myself. We did give them some money to get the first bit of planning done but we know the community is ready to move to the next level. I’m looking, along side my colleague David Caplan, to find the capacity to do that,” Smitherman said during an interview following a turf-turning ceremony for a new recreation centre in Hanover on Friday, April 3.
“The Centre Grey Hospital, as an example, stands as a priority for the government of Ontario. We haven’t yet been able to identify the funding in that community, but no one can quarrel that there’s a need there. As we make infrastructure investments, Markdale as one small example is a place where additional revenue would be required,” said George Smitherman, who is also the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.
Maureen Solecki, the interim president and chief administrative officer of the Grey Bruce health Services, agreed that there are more planning steps needed to go through in order to get the final approval for the project and the hospital corporation is awaiting the ministry’s permission to move on to the next planning stage.
“The functional program is with the Ministry of Health and under consideration by them. At this point we don’t have approval of the functional program yet, so we can’t go on to the next step,” Solecki said.
Deputy-Premier very positive about new Centre Grey Hospital
Only about one third of the money promised by Smitherman in 2006 to pay for the planning and design of the new hospital has been spent.
“We’ve only received about $1 million of the $3 million grant . . . that was to get us to submit our functional design program to the Ministry of Health . . . there are a number of phases yet to go . . . in order to be ready for construction,” Solecki explained.
Markdale is fortunate to have a planning and design grant, she said, adding she is encouraged by Smitherman’s commitment to the project. “There are lots of communities in the province with desires to do major renovation projects or rebuild projects and they have not received approval for planning and design grants and we are very pleased that we have received that. Another huge factor for the rebuild of Centre Grey hospital has always been the huge community support of the project,” she said.
The minister said the Ontario government plans to spend an additional $7 billion in the next two years on hospital construction. He said that in the last five years the Liberal government has invested more money in hospitals than the last five governments in Ontario combined.
“Yes, as we make infrastructure investments, the Markdale hospital, as one small example is a place where additional revenue will be required. We’re going to keep building,” said Smitherman. “It’s a top-of-mind issue. Lots of places can make a strong case for why they need investment and Markdale can make a very, very strong case for that, so we hope to be in a position to show some progress for that community,” he added.
Solecki is aware of the huge pressure and demand on the province for hospital rebuilding plans and other infrastructure projects and recognizes the need to be patient as this one winds its way through a very complex approval process.
“It’s good to know that this project remains well-known to the minister. We’re thrilled with that because you know the community is concerned and anxious that the project go forward as soon as it possible,” she said.
Grey Bruce Owen MPP Bill Murdoch said he was heartened and surprised by Smitherman’s candor when asked by a reporter about the plans for the new hospital.
“He said it was right up there near the top . . . and as long as he keeps talking about it that way it will get done . . . to my mind he seemed quite genuine. I think it’s all positive,” said Murdoch, who believes Smitherman has a degree of personal commitment to the project. “I’ve always felt that way. I always felt George was committed to it . . . He has been right there from the start . . . and today just proved it when he spoke the way he did,” Murdoch said.
Hope for Markdale Hospital
April 6, 2009
By Don Crosby for The Owen Sound Sun Times
Ontario’s Energy and Infrastructure Minister George Smitherman has a message of hope about a proposed new hospital in Markdale.
“The Markdale hospital, as an example, stands as a priority for the government of Ontario. We haven’t yet been able to identify the funding in that community, but no one can quarrel that there’s a need there. As we make infrastructure investments, Markdale as one small example is a place where additional revenue would be required,” Smitherman said in an interview after a turf-turning ceremony for a new recreation centre in Hanover on Friday.
The minister said the next step is to do more detailed planning.
“There’s a very high degree of awareness in our government of the necessity of doing that in Markdale. I’ve seen that facility myself. We did give them some money to get the first bit of planning done, but we know the community is ready to move to the next level. I’m looking, alongside my colleague David Caplan, to find the capacity to do that,” Smitherman said.
Maureen Solecki, the interim president and chief administrative officer of Grey Bruce Health Services agreed that there are more planning steps needed to get to the final approval for the project, and the hospital corporation is awaiting the ministry’s permission to move on to the next planning stage.
“The functional program is with the Ministry of Health and under consideration by them. At this point we don’t have approval of the functional program yet, so we can’t go on to the next step,” Solecki said.
Only about one third of the money promised by Smitherman in 2006 to pay for the planning and design of the new hospital has been spent.
“We’ve only received about $1 million of the $3 million grant . . . that was to get us to submit our functional design program to the Ministry of Health . . . there are a number of phases yet to go . . . in order to be ready for construction,” Solecki explained.
Markdale is fortunate to have a planning and design grant, she said, adding she is encouraged by Smitherman’s commitment to the project.
“There are lots of communities in the province with desires to do major renovation projects or rebuild projects and they have not received approval for planning and design grants and we are very pleased that we have received that. Another huge factor for the rebuild of Centre Grey hospital has always been the huge community support of the project,” she said.
The minister said the Ontario government plans to spend an additional $7 billion in the next two years on hospital construction.
He said that in the last five years the Liberal government has invested more money in hospitals than the last five governments in Ontario combined.
“Yes, as we make infrastructure investments, the Markdale hospital . . . is a place where additional revenue will be required. We’re going to keep building,” said Smitherman.
“It’s a top-of-mind issue. Lots of places can make a strong case for why they need investment and Markdale can make a very, very strong case for that, so we hope to be in a position to show some progress for that community,” he added.
Solecki is aware of the huge pressure and demand on the province for hospital rebuilding plans and other infrastructure projects and recognizes the need to be patient as this one winds its way through a very complex approval process.
“It’s good to know that this project remains well-known to the minister. We’re thrilled with that because you know the community is concerned and anxious that the project go forward as soon as it possible,” she said.
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch said he was heartened and surprised by Smitherman’s candor when asked by a reporter about the plans for the new hospital.
“He said it was right up there near the top . . . and as long as he keeps talking about it that way it will get done . . . to my mind he seemed quite genuine. I think it’s all positive,” said Murdoch, who believes Smitherman has a degree of personal commitment to the project.
“I’ve always felt that way. I always felt George was committed to it . . . He has been right there from the start . . . and today just proved it when he spoke the way he did,” Murdoch said.
Letter to the Editor
GBHS C.E.O. Responds
March 4th, 2009
The Markdale Standard
The Flesherton Advance
The Dundalk Herald
Dear Editor,
RE: Centre Grey Hospital
I have been asked by several members of the community to provide an update on the new Centre Grey hospital project.
Recent media coverage of the project has raised concerns about the timing of approval for this important project.
I don’t know when the project will get the green light to move forward to the next step in planning.
I do know that Grey Bruce Health Services has received a $3M planning and design grant from the Ontario government to undertake the complex planning work for a new hospital. In that regard Markdale and broader Centre Grey community is way ahead of other Ontario cities and towns who have a need for renovation or rebuilding of their health care facilities.
Our planning process has involved nearly all of our hospital staff in Markdale, our physicians and our community health partners. Together they have given us great ideas as to how we can care for our patients looking many years forward to the future. Their efforts have resulted in our ability to submit what we believe are really good plans for the new hospital to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
I also know that the community has been unbelievably generous in its donations to the campaign for the new hospital. It is completely understandable that donors both large and small are anxious to see the project move forward. I am a donor too and I am impatient for the project to move forward because I know the challenges our staff face in providing care in our current hospital.
The fact that the community has raised $13M in donations and pledges is one of the biggest strengths of this project. Many other communities further along in their planning for their major building projects have not been as successful in securing the local share of their projects and that will limit their ability to move forward.
We are working very closely with the South West Local Health Integration Network with respect to this planning process. Their responsibility is to look at all of the health needs of the community which include hospital care, primary care and the broad range of services provided through a community health centre. Rural communities have unique challenges in providing a wide range of health care services to a small population base. We have key leaders in our organization like our Program Director Susie Furlong and our Vice President of Clinical Services Sue McCutcheon working hand and hand with the LHIN to ensure that those health care needs are met.
The approval process for a new hospital is a long one. It is a difficult economic environment we find ourselves in today.
While I am impatient to move forward, I am also hopeful that because the need for the new hospital and closely related community health care services is compelling and the community has signaled its support for the project through such a strong financial commitment, that approval will be received to proceed.
Sincerely
Maureen Solecki, Interim President and CEO
Grey Bruce Health Services
Committee Chair Remains Confident About Hospital
February 25, 2009
By Don Crosby for The Standard
Dr. Hamilton Hall is undeterred in his confidence and optimism about the future of a proposed new hospital for Markdale. The world famous back doctor, who lives near Markdale and was instrumental in heading up a massive fundraising campaign that raised over $13 million in cash and pledges for a new hospital, said there was nothing new in the statement by Health Minister David Caplan last week when he said that the Markdale hospital won’t be included in the spring budget.
“What he said, when you strip it all down, is that it won’t go ahead in the foreseeable future. Well, the foreseeable future for a politician is very short. Its next year.” said Hall, adding, “We didn’t expect it to be in this year’s budget. There are a lot of projects, they don’t have the money and they’re terrified of the economy and [Caplan] is being very very cautious.”
Hall said what the minister said last week is exactly what he should saying; that the government doesn’t know for sure when funding for the Markdale hospital will be approved, but that the hospital is still on the list of approved new projects.
Southgate mayor Don Lewis’ suggestion to revamp the style of hospital has already been accounted for in the design of the proposed new hospital which is to have fewer beds than the current building and with a focus on being an emergency out-patient facility. “This is a newer more efficient design…when they built the old hospitals, they built them and then worried how they were going to pay to run them. Those days are gone. Now you address how you are going to run even before you build it,” Hall said.
Hall said everyone involved in the project knew that getting approval for funding would take some time and now, with the downturn in the economy, money is tighter than ever, the government has to look more carefully at where it’s going to spend its money. “There is all kind of infrastructure stuff that needs to be done. And they are scared. They don’t know what to do,” he said
For the past 10 years, governments have examined ways of managing the health care budget with funding going into preventative medicine and community-based family health teams and home care, all the while changing the emphasis of the hospitals back to their original purpose of providing acute care. “But family health teams have to operate somewhere,” Hall said, “The family health team is a good idea but they can’t operate in a field. What facility is it going to be their backup and where is it going to be…when you break a leg, you need a hospital,” he said
Hall said it was decided years ago that the Markdale hospital site was strategically located and needed to survive. And while the decisions was one that was made a long time ago and by a different government the Markdale hospital location is growing in importance between Orangeville and Owen Sound. It may only be a half hour from Owen Sound but it’s another half an hour to Dundalk and it’s another 40 minutes from Dundalk south to Orangeville.
“If you get hurt near Dundalk where are you going to go. Highway 10 is a busy highway that’s getting busier. We are right in the middle. It’s like a donut with services all around us,” said hall, adding, “the ski hills are another story. The place to go if you’re hurt on a ski hill would be Meaford but in the winter when they close the roads where are they going to go now?”
“It’s not the news that I wanted to hear. I’d prefer they’d say you’re going to get your hospital next week…the minister didn’t say no…we’ve been accepted as a project to be done. Now it’s just a matter of when,” Hall said.
Murdoch Holds out Hope for New Centre Grey Hospital
January 7th, 2009
By Don Crosby for The Standard
There is a 50 per cent chance that Markdale could get its new hospital this year, said Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch during his predictions for 2009.
He asked the Minister of Health and Long Term Care for an update in the legislature just before Christmas and was told then the hospital was still on the governments list of priorities but no more than that.
“It may not happen this year, there is a 50-50 chance because of the economic downturn but it would be good to stimulate the economy by doing that,” said Murdoch during an interview on the weekend. “It isn’t a project that has gone by the wayside so that’s good. If they had said it was no longer on the radar then we’d be in trouble, but they haven’t done that, so that’s good.”
Murdoch said he’s pushing the government to continue reconstruction of Highway 26 between Meaford and Woodford and Meaford and Thornbury as well as Highway 6 north to Tobermory. He expects the stretch between Meaford and Thornbury will be done first. “It’s in worse shape no doubt about it. The congestion is worse there,” he said. Again he’s not sure if work on that stretch will take place this year because of the economy. It will all demand on the Liberal government’s priorities. He expects those priorities will become clearer with a new throne speech and budget later this year which he predicts will contain plenty of financial stimulation and infrastructure spending.
He predicts premier Dalton McGuinty will prorogue the legislature soon after the federal Conservatives introduce their new budget and throne speech later this month. Once that happens, the McGuinty government will indicate its direction. “They won’t do anything until they see what the feds do on the 26 of January, and then it will be a chain reaction,” said Murdoch, adding, “because of the economy the government is going to have to put its money for where it can get the biggest bang for its buck.”
Murdoch said before the provincial motion was prepared to prorogue the legislature. It just requires the signature of the Lieutenant Governor. “They have a motion ready and some bills will continue on such as my bill, the one for people with disabilities. They said they wouldn’t kill it,” Murdoch said.
Murdoch laments the lack of a strong opposition in the legislature during the coming year. With the retirement of the leader of the New Democrats and the Progressive Conservatives leader John Tory still without a seat in the legislature, it makes for a weak opposition. “The Liberals are just sort of floating along. They’re not doing anything because they don’t need to. The Progressive Conservative Party has to get its act together,” said Murdoch who hopes Tory will announce he’s resigning from the leadership and let a leadership campaign begin. Murdoch says he has no regrets over his call to have John Tory step down last fall as head of the conservative party and he hasn’t changed his view about what Tory should do if he can’t get a seat in the Legislature. For the good of the party and the sake of the opposition he says Tory should step down. So far the conservative leader hasn’t been able to find a sitting member to retire and allow Tory to run in that riding. He worries that Tory will decide to wait until the provincial election in the fall of 2010 and run again. “I think that would be disastrous for the party and for Ontario because the Liberals are going to sleep at the switch. They have no direction. They need a direction or plan,” he said. Tory has promised to make an announcement about his future on January 9.
New Centre Grey Hospital Still Under Review
November 5th, 2008
By Don Crosby for The Markdale Standard
The proposed new hospital for Markdale is included in the provincial government’s long term capital projects, said Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch.
Earlier this week, Murdoch asked Health Minister David Caplan during question period when Markdale residents could expect to get their new hospital.
It’s more than a year since the community raised $13 million toward the cost of the estimated $50 million hospital to replace the current aging structure. In answer to Murdoch, Caplan is reported in Hansard to have said that the government is preparing a 10-year, $60-billion capital plan and “Markdale is a part of that mix, of those requests that are outstanding, and will be part of that considerations as that plan is put together,” Caplan said.
On May 4, 2006, then health minister George Smitherman announced that $3 million would be given to the hospital foundation for planning and design for the new hospital. On October 16, 2007, Grey Bruce Health Services submitted its functional plan and related materials to the ministry of health to support the proposal which was followed by supplementary information that was received toward the end of November.
“And the submission is currently under review, “Caplan told Murdoch.
Murdoch said during an interview on Thursday from his home near Bognor that he raised the question in the legislature to find out if Caplan was as committed to the project as the former health minister.
“He’s new and I wanted to put him on the record saying he’s still supporting it. We have Smitherman on record but we don’t have Caplan on record.”
Murdoch said he interprets Caplan’s response as a way of saying the government doesn’t have a lot of money to spend right now. With the downturn in the economy, Murdoch doesn’t expect construction for another two years but he is encouraged by Caplan’s answer.
“It’s only positive – he seemed enthusiastic about it. I think we’re ahead of lots of others but we won’t be first. I wouldn’t lose faith,” said Murdoch.
The New Centre Grey Hospital
Top Ten Questions
July 30, 2008
by Maureen Solecki, Vice President Strategic Planning, Community Relations and Support Services, Grey Bruce Health Services & Jennifer Edwards, CGHSF Coordinator
1. Are we getting a new hospital?
Although we have not yet received final approval or an announcement from the government, the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care (MOHLTC) has been very supportive of the planning and design process completed by Grey Bruce Health Services (GBHS) thus far regarding this project. The strong community support that was shown through Centre Grey Health Services Foundation’s (CGHSF) hospital campaign that raised over $13 million dollars is a very strong signal to the government that this community is solidly behind this project and we believe is a key reason for the government support that we have received with this on-going project. The $3 million dollar planning grant that was given to GBHS in May 2006 is a strong indication that the government believes in this project.
2. When will the construction begin?
The construction will begin after the government announces its approval of this project. After the approval is officially announced it will go through a tendering process with construction to begin following final Ministry approvals on that aspect of the process.
3. When is the government going to make an announcement?
We just don’t know and cannot predict this. Every stage of the step-by-step planning process that did require government approval has been approved to date and; we are still waiting for the government’s final approval. The five year plan that was recently released by the government did not include any new hospital projects.
The competition for provincial funding of large capital projects goes well beyond the health care sector and we may have to wait longer than we originally thought for the final approval of this project, as will many other hospitals with similar building projects.
4. Why is it taking so long – what is the hold-up?
We are coming to understand that the approval of a new hospital is an incredibly complicated process. It requires an intensive level of planning at the local level which has been actively underway for some time now. It also requires a very complicated approval process across many levels of government. It is not something that can or should be rushed. Although not as quickly as we hoped, things have progressed, including the completion and submission of the Functional Program to the MOHLTC in October of 2007.
After we receive their feedback, the GBHS hospital and its design team will have an opportunity to address any issues of concern, as identified by the MOHLTC; this will be submitted and the MOHLTC will review it again and determine whether or not they will give these components of the project their approval.
5. Will the community need to raise more money?
We certainly hope the community will not have to raise more money for the hospital re-build. The government requires the involvement of cost consultants on a project of this magnitude. At the present time the cost estimating for the project comes in within the 10% requirement for the community’s funding share. We are concerned about cost escalation so the sooner the project can receive implementation approval the lower the risk of any need for further community fund raising or scaling back on the project size.
6. How long can the old hospital last?
The average age of Ontario hospitals is 42 years. Parts of our current hospital are 50 years old. We have a number of building systems that no longer meet building code requirements. GBHS is reluctant to invest funds in major building upgrades when everyone’s hope is that a new hospital is on the horizon. In addition to the building system issues, the layout, size and arrangement of services in the hospital does not meet our patient’s needs as so much about the way health care is provided in hospital has changed since the building was built.
So while the building is clearly still standing and operating with its current constraints, every year that goes by adds to the concern that continuing to operate safely and efficiently in it is not sustainable. The recent need to shut down the majority of our electrical power to the building, including back-up generator support, to repair electrical switches is the kind of problem GBHS is concerned will become more common the longer a decision is delayed.
7. What level of government makes this decision?
The decision will be made by the Provincial Government with input from many sectors of the government including the South West LHIN.
8. What happens to the donated money – the $13 million - if the new hospital does not get built?
People who donated to the hospital campaign were told that if the new hospital did NOT get built, that they would have the option of getting their money back. It will not automatically be put towards something else; all donors will have the choice of getting their money back but only if the hospital is not approved by the government. We hope this will never be the case.
9. If we do get a new hospital, will we have doctors to work in it?
A brand new facility will definitely help to attract and bring new doctors to work in this area. Uncertainty about the future of the hospital adds to the challenge of recruitment of new physicians to any community.
10. How much will the new hospital cost?
The current estimate for the new hospital is approximately $52M. Original estimates for the hospital did not include extensive site development requirements, rapid escalation in hospital construction costs and changes to building design as a result of SARS which add to the size and complexity of the design.
Good News for Centre Grey Hospital
July 30, 2008
The Markdale Standard
by Don Crosby
A response by the George Smitherman, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, to a petition presented by Bruce/Grey/Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch earlier this year seeking a commitment for a proposed new hospital for Markdale is encouraging, said Dr. Hamilton Hall.
Smitherman received the petition when he was still Minister of Health and Long Term Care. “Essentially what it said is that we have not forgotten your hospital. It’s still very much alive and well, and we’re still looking at it, which is very good news.” said Hall, during an interview on Friday.
Hall has been heavily involved in the fundraising for a proposed $50 million hospital to replace the aging Centre Grey Hospital in Markdale.
“The good news is we think we have more friends in the government in different places than we did before because Smitherman has always been a supporter, we have never doubted that, and David Caplan is also a supporter. So we now have two ministries that contain senior people that are supportive of our project.”
Earlier this year, Caplan replaced Smitherman as Long Term Care and Smitherman was appointed to a new super ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
Hall said he’s buoyed up by the response to the petition submitted by Murdoch and signed by several hundred local residents because it shows that the government hasn’t closed the door on the proposed hospital.
Until the government gives a flat out no to a proposal, it is alive and to date Markdale hasn’t been given a definitive no to its request for funding for a new hospital, Hall said. Residents have raised $13 million and are waiting for the government to approve putting up the rest of the money for a new hospital. Earlier this year, the former health minister said no funding was allocated for hospitals in the 2008 budget.
“Part of the problem is that no single ministry has the power it used to have. In the good old days, the health ministry decided what they were going to do and they did it but now health has to compete with infrastructure – health is up against people who want to build highways. Now it becomes a game of what is more important,” said Hall. Hall, who is the point man in the nonpolitical part of lobby by area residents, said he plans to reconnect with officials in the office of the new health minister David Caplan.
“Bill Murdoch wrote a letter to Caplan congratulating him on his appointment and reminded him about the new hospital in Markdale. So he is doing everything he can… Government doesn’t like to be made to look bad. “Our job is to quietly and politely keep the pressure on.”
New Markdale Hospital Submission Under Review
July 24, 2008
Local Radio News – Aired 101.7 The One
There's a sign this week that the Ontario government has not forgotten about the Markdale Hospital.
Bruce-Grey Owen Sound Conservative MPP Bill Murdoch received a reply this week from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, regarding his petition about the construction of a new hospital in Markdale.
The petitions signed by people throughout southern Grey County requested that the Ministry of Health announce as soon as possible its intended construction date for the new Markdale Hospital.
The response this week indicated that the hospital submission is under review.
A release from Murdoch's office stated that the response was 'good news', and the Ministry is reviewing all plans and applications submitted by Grey Bruce Health Services.”
Residents of Markdale and surrounding areas have been privately fundraising for the construction of the proposed new hospital, raising millions of dollars to help cover the cost of any future construction.
Link: http://www.1017theone.ca/news.php?artID=26273
GBHS Setback No Surprise
May 12, 2008
Hospital president says minister’s comments about not funding Markdale build this year in line with provincial budget
The Sun Times
By Don Crosby
Sun Times Correspondent
The president and chief executive officer of Grey Bruce Health Services is disappointed but not surprised by word the province isn’t planning to approve construction of a new hospital in Markdale this year.
Provincial Health Minister George Smitherman took some Markdale residents by surprise when, while visiting Bruce Power late last month, he announced that he didn’t know for sure when he could give approval for the proposed new hospital and he couldn’t give a time frame when he could make such an announcement.
“It would be very nice if we could get at announcement that we were moving to implementation. But given the way the budget dame down this year we weren’t surprised when the minister said he’s not in a position to make an announcement that it’s moving to implementation,” Campbell said.
Smitherman added the province wouldn’t have provided $3 million for planning the hospital if it wasn’t serious about the project.
Campbell said money for the proposed $50 million hospital was not included in the spending estimates of the government’s budget released earlier this year.
“In fact there was a real focus in the provincial budget on infrastructure other than hospitals. So the minister’s comments didn’t take us by surprise, but clearly it took some of the community by surprise,” said Campbell.
“I would emphasize that we continue to work on the planning, we continue to work with the LHIN (Local Health Integration Network) who do understand that this is an important project to move ahead.
“We continue to work with the elected officials in the area who support us in moving the project forward.”
Campbell said the announcement by the minister will come when the government is ready to allocate the funding.
“I would assume at this pint that their approval cycle for this year had gone by, which we’re very disappointed in and very concerned about, but at the same time it doesn’t change the fact that we continue with the planning process,” Campbell said.
She also noted there haven’t been any requests by the ministry officials to reduce the size of the proposed hospital.
“I know that there has been some discussion across the province about different projects being asked to change the size of the scope of their project. We may be asked to do that and we’ll certainly be looking at that in the context of what is going on in the health system in general. But at this point we haven’t been asked to do anything like that,” Campbell said
Hospital Still on Track
April 30, 2008
By Lori Ledingham
For The Markdale Standard
I read a story in the Saturday Sun Times about the new Centre Grey Hospital that quoted Minister of Health George Smitherman as saying, “[Markdale area residents] will be the first to know when our government is in a position to make an announcement about rebuilding the hospital in Markdale.”
“I recognize that they like other communities are anxious to see a new hospital. If we are frank about it, we’ve got more than a couple of those across the province of Ontario."
His words were a bit vague, and I wanted to make sure nothing has changed regarding our hospital so I immediately called the chair of the new hospital’s Steering Committee, Dr. Hamilton Hall.
“The minister's comments caught us by surprise,” said Hall. “He was asked about the project out of context, when he was at Bruce Power. But if you read his comments carefully, nothing has changed in terms of our new hospital.”
“The ministry has never said anything other than that this project is moving forward as planned. With the government, anything short of a “no” means keeping moving ahead.”
Smitherman acknowledged that all of the local funds – totaling more than $13 million – required for the project have already been raised.
Hall continued, “We met with members of the Ministry of Health two weeks ago and they are preparing their final comments for us on our Functional Plan. We expect to hear back from the ministry shortly. As far as we are concerned, absolutely nothing has changed with regard to our new hospital.”
I found this news quite reassuring since the Sun Times headline indicated that the hospital might be ‘on hold.’
“Our project is moving ahead,” asserted Hall. “It remains a question of when will we get our hospital, not if. George Smitherman did not put the hospital on hold.”
“Yes, there are other hospital projects across the province that the ministry is looking at but we need to remember that we are one of just a few communities who have raised 100 per cent of the local funds required by the government. That puts us in an excellent position going forward, and that is exactly where our hospital is going.”
I was glad to hear these comments from Hall as he is directly in touch with the ministry officials who are dealing with the plans for the new hospital. It seems like a long wait for the new hospital, but we have to be reassured and trust that the plans are coming together and the project is working its way through the necessary government departments. And yes, it does take a long time!
We have an excellent team at work on seeing the hospital’s plans through to completion and to date, we’ve only heard positive, constructive news and comments from the government and the departments that are scrutinizing the plans. That’s the real news about the new Centre Grey Hospital.
|
