The renewal of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s (CKHA) Wallaceburg Site has taken another significant step with the Ministry of Health approving the organization’s Stage 1: Proposal Submission in the next phase of the redevelopment project, hospital officials say.
Approval of the Stage 1 submission indicates the organization can move to Stage 2: Functional Program in the planning process.
The organization welcomed the Honourable Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development and MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex as well as special guests to celebrate the announcement on Friday, December 3, 2021.
“More than a decade ago, I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with residents in Wallaceburg to save this Hospital,” McNaughton said in a press release.
“This investment ensures our community will have access to the quality health care services we need now and for years to come.”
Today’s announcement marks CKHA moving forward with Stage 2 planning in the next phase of the redevelopment project, hospital officials say.
During Stage 2 of the process, detailed design planning will take place where the design is refined and plans, specifications and estimates are created.
This stage will include significant community engagement outputs and cost build up estimates including a commitment to supporting the local share of costs, CKHA officials added.
The design planning for this phase of the project will focus on the Emergency Department and Medical Beds, Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory at CKHA’s Wallaceburg Site.
Following submission of the Stage 2 planning documents, the proposed project will require Ministry approval to move forward to the next stage.
With a renewed focus on the Wallaceburg Site, the redevelopment project began with approval of the Replacement Power Plant Project from the Ministry of Health in spring 2018 to replace essential infrastructure with a total project cost estimated at $8.1-million dollars.
The province’s grant of up to $7.3 million funding went towards the construction of a new power plant to replace aging equipment with new boilers, generators and electrical distribution equipment.
The balance of the project cost is funded through hospital funds allocated for investment in this project.
Completion of the Replacement Power Plant Project is expected to occur in early 2022, hospital officials say.
“Today’s announcement reaffirms our commitment to program and service delivery at our Wallaceburg Site and reiterates CKHA’s mission, One Team – Two Sites: Serving Chatham and Rural Kent,” said Alan Wildeman, Board Chair CKHA, in a media release.
“We know this site is important to many in the surrounding community and has played a significant role in the provision of local health services. We are thrilled to take this next step in the redevelopment of our Wallaceburg Site and look forward to a future of enhanced health care delivery for our patients and families.”
“We are so pleased to celebrate another exciting milestone in the renewal of our Wallaceburg Site,” said Lori Marshall, President and CEO, CKHA, in a media release.
“This site means a great deal to patients and families in Wallaceburg and the surrounding area; each step in this multi-phase plan brings us closer to ensuring the delivery of safe, high quality care at this site for years to come.”
To meet the needs of health care delivery today and into the future, CKHA has assembled a comprehensive redevelopment plan.
CKHA’s Wallaceburg Site continues to focus on the community’s emerging needs with the current services:
– 24 hour emergency department
– 5 inpatient beds adjacent to the emergency department
– Ambulatory Care including specialty clinics
– Diagnostic Imaging including radiology and ultrasound
– Respiratory therapy
– Physiotherapy
– Laboratory services (Point of Care testing)
Here is a look at some of the development plans:
Here is what some local officials had to say about the announcement:
Today, I was proud to announce that Wallaceburg is getting a new hospital.
From rowdy kids who need stitches, to our parents and grandparents who may require extra care, this hospital will serve our community for generations to come.
Learn more here: https://t.co/4YN0ud2oZF pic.twitter.com/vYl97bMvV0
— Monte McNaughton (@MonteMcNaughton) December 3, 2021
It was an honour to join Minister @MonteMcNaughton in the announcement of a new hospital in Wallaceburg. I’m thrilled that the Wallaceburg community is one step closer to having a fully-functional close-to-home hospital. pic.twitter.com/dKm5zoVTZd
— Lianne Rood (@Lianne_Rood) December 3, 2021
I was honoured to bring greetings on behalf of @MunicCK, alongside @carmenmcgregor, at the amazing announcement for the continued investment & development of #Wallaceburg’s hospital. Thank-you @LoriBMarshall, @ckhamedia team & @MonteMcNaughton. It means so much to our community. pic.twitter.com/FRXdCXaciT
— Aaron__Hall (@Aaron__Hall) December 3, 2021
