Backing the Build

Doug Ford announces $8.7 million in funding for PECMH build

What started out as a quiet Friday fall morning in beautiful Prince Edward County turned into a flurry of excitement when it was announced that Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Health Christine Elliott and Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith were on their way to Picton to make an announcement regarding health care in the area. Ford announced his government is investing $8.7 million to support the planning and design phase of the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital. Once complete, this new state-of-the-art hospital will replace the existing aged facility, expand capacity and improve access to quality care.

On the front lawn of the 61-year-old hospital, David MacKinnon, Chair of QHC Board of Directors, welcomed Ford, Elliott and Smith to Picton, and made a few remarks about the hospital. “This rural hospital has served the people of Prince Edward County and some surrounding communities for more than 100 years. That long history is central to our sense of community,” said MacKinnon.

Ford opened with remarks about the beauty of the County. “When we get through this pandemic, you have to visit Prince Edward County. It is one of the most beautiful places anywhere in Ontario with some of the greatest people,” said Ford, who then gave the audience what they were waiting for. “Today I am thrilled to announce that we are making another landmark investment for the future of Prince Edward County. I’ve been investing in hospitals across this province, from one end of Ontario to the other. Today these investments are at your doorsteps. Our government is proud to announce an $8.7 million planning grant for the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.” Ford explained that the investment was part of his government’s plan to end hallway healthcare. He promised a new, larger 24/7 emergency room, state of the art operating room and increased access to diagnostic services such as MRIs and dialysis. The new hospital will also see six additional beds, increasing to 18, with the ability to expand if needed. Ford noted that the investment will also help with the economic recovery of the County. “Construction will also create jobs, help local suppliers and businesses and contribute to the long term recovery of this area,” he said.

Minister of Health Christine Elliott congratulated the Hospital Foundation and the Hospital Auxiliary for their tireless efforts. She also noted that rural hospitals are an important piece of Ontario’s healthcare plan. “Part of our plan to end hallway healthcare includes looking at the needs of rural hospitals, like the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, which are essential to their communities,” said Elliott.

“Rural hospitals have always played a critical role to ensure all Ontarians regardless of where they live have equitable access to high quality care both now and into the future.” Elliott explained that once the hospital is complete, the families living in the County will have access to a state-of-the-art facility and services that will meet the growing needs of the community for decades to come.

Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith was thrilled to be able to bring this news to his constituents. Smith noted that it hasn’t been a smooth road to get to this point. “This hasn’t always been an easy process, as I look at Leo Finnegan, whose been advocating for this hospital for many years,” said Smith. Finnegan, a former County mayor, has long been an advocate for better health care and a new hospital in Prince Edward County. Smith noted the multiple town halls, fundraising campaigns and many letters that the community, and Finnegan had coordinated. It was in May of 2011 that plans were announced to see a new hospital built in Picton. Smith then noted that Prince Edward County has a unique demographic that the new hospital will serve, as the population in the summer skyrockets due to tourism, and the median age is 13 years higher than the provincial average. “A vibrant hospital is an important economic driver, but most importantly it offers peace of mind that residents will get the best and most appropriate care close to home,” said Smith. “I know this community will share our confidence and rally around Quinte Health Care, along with the Hospital Foundation to Back this Build.”

According to Shannon Coull, Executive Director of the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation, the announcement is another significant step toward a new hospital becoming a reality, as it is a a project that involves two significant funding partners; the Provincial Government and community of donors. “The Foundation has the lead responsibility to raise the community’s share of the funds required to build the hospital. The cost estimated to be about $87 million. The provincial government will pay for 90 per cent of the building costs as well as the planning costs moving forward. The funding grant announced on Friday will be used to complete the design, working drawings and contract documents for construction of the new hospital,” said Coull.

The community’s share is estimated to be $16.5 million. This includes 10 per cent of the building costs plus all of the new equipment for the new hospital.All funding received or announced by the Provincial Government is related to their share of the costs of the project and does not have an impact on the community’s $16.5 million share. “What is significant about Friday’s announcement is the fact that Ontario now has skin in the game,” said Coull. “The fact that we are seeing the funds flowing so quickly, on the heels of the province’s budget announcement in September, is testament to the Province’s commitment to see this project move forward. Our Back the Build campaign just got a lot more exciting and the Foundation looks forward to working with the entire community to reach our goal.”