Submitted by St.Francis Memorial Hospital
St. Francis Memorial Hospital (SFMH) is extremely pleased to share that it has received approval of its Emergency Department (ED) Redevelopment Project Stage 2.3 submission, from the Ministry of Health. The approval means the construction drawings have been approved and the project will be moving to the tendering process.
A Request for Prequalification Proposals will accompany the Tendering of the project. This means a prequalification of the General Contractors as well as Mechanical and Electrical Subcontractors.
“We’re very excited to move forward in the process towards construction. The new Emergency Department is a pivotal part of the hospital’s delivery of high-quality care for our rural community,” stated Kevin Quade, Chair, SFMH Board of Directors.
The SFMH Emergency Department is a critical resource for the community. It currently sees more than 11,000 patients per year. The ambulatory care space, which will also be renovated, will ensure the hospital continues to provide the highest standard of outpatient care to our patients.
The Emergency Redevelopment project will increase the hospital footprint by over 6,000 square feet. The new space and its design use the latest healthcare standards for infection control, privacy/confidentiality, and occupational health, among others.
“Our clinical staff have been excited to follow the progress of this project during every step. We look forward to seeing the Emergency Department that we helped design become a bricks and mortar reality. We look forward to bringing the same patient centred care that the community has grown to respect to the new build. Patients, families, as well as the front-line doctors and nurses are excited to move past the planning phase and making the dream a reality,” stated Dr. Jason Malinowski, SFMH Chief of Staff.
Julia Boudreau, SFMH CEO, thanked the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health East Region for their support for the project, as well as the staff, physicians and Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) members who have been involved in the planning so far. The planning of this project has truly been a team effort.
“The redevelopment project, which is expected to take over two years, will ensure safe and efficient emergency care for residents of Barry’s Bay and surrounding area for years to come,” stated Boudreau. “We look forward to continuing to work with all of our partners and stakeholders as this crucial project unfolds.”
