The redevelopment project for the St. Francis Memorial Hospital Emergency Department and Ambulatory Care has begun. Above: Ground-breaking ceremony for SFMH Emergency redevelopment project.
“Our government is protecting Ontario’s health care system and ensuring that more people in Renfrew County can connect to convenient emergency care, where and when they need it most,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By investing in a new and expanded St. Francis Memorial Hospital emergency department, we are making it faster and easier for more people and their families to access high-quality emergency and ambulatory care in their community, for years to come.”
“We are extremely pleased with the progress to date,” said Suzanne Madore, President and CEO of SFMH. “This project promises to uphold the future of excellent health care in our community for decades to come.”
The project, awarded to M. Sullivan & Son Limited Construction will result in a new state of the art Emergency Department and redevelop existing hospital space for Ambulatory Care. M. Sullivan and Son Ltd. is an experienced builder with extensive related experience based out of Arnprior.
(From centre to right) Randy Shaw – Project Manager, Will Borutski – Project Coordinator, MPP Billy Denault, Suzanne Madore – SFMH CEO and Greg McLeod- SFMH COO
The project includes a 6,000 square foot addition (new emergency department) as well as 6,600 square feet of renovations to the first floor of the hospital. The plans for this project have been developed over many years, with the assistance of N45 Architecture, physicians, hospital staff and the Patient and Family Advisory Committee.
Once opened, the new state-of-the-art emergency department will include:
- A dedicated isolation room equipped with negative air pressure
- A new entrance for ambulances to use, improving patient flow
- A new dedicated space for mental health care
- Upgraded trauma area to ensure the hospital’s ability to respond to all emergencies in a timely manner
- Improved infection prevention and control measures
Kevin Quade, Chair of the SFMH Board of Directors expressed, “On behalf of our Board of Directors, I would like to thank the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation, our generous donors, volunteers, patient and family advisors, hospital staff, physicians, and all those who have worked diligently for this day to come. This project supports the hospital vision to be a leader in health services that are patient centred, integrated and responsive to rural community health needs.”
SFMH will continue to offer normal services throughout the duration of the project which is expected to take two years to complete. While SFMH will do it’s best to minimize interruptions, COO Greg McLeod notes there will be some minor modifications to the site at various stages of the project. “We will ensure new, bright signage is in place to assist with these changes,” says McLeod. SFMH is grateful for the support and understanding of the community as we work to complete this important project. Updates on the project will also be posted regularly to the SFMH website at sfmhosp.com and in local media.
McLeod,G.,COO St.Francis Memorial Hospital(2025,May2) St. Francis Memorial Hospital Emergency Redevelopment project underway [media release]
Photos submitted.