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.