Construction begins on the Woodstock General Hospital Project

    WOODSTOCK, ON, Nov. 2 /CNW/ - George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and
Minister of Energy and Infrastructure joined hospital officials, staff,
community members and health care partners today to celebrate the official
start of construction for the new Woodstock General Hospital.
    Woodstock General Hospital broke ground on its new state-of-the-art
health care facility, which will replace the existing hospital. The new
facility will have capacity of up to 178 beds and will provide acute
in-patient, ambulatory, rehabilitation and complex continuing care programs
and services. It will provide patients and staff with a high quality healing
environment and the latest technology in patient care and communications. At
three-storeys high and 350,000 square feet, the new hospital will more than
double the size of the current facility. The existing hospital opened in 1895
and has 120 beds. At the new hospital, health care professionals will offer a
full-range of clinical services and programs, including:

    -   Physiotherapy and rehabilitation services
    -   Cardio-respiratory services
    -   Pharmacy and laboratory services
    -   A new inpatient rehabilitation program, in partnership with community
        agencies;
    -   A diagnostic Imaging (DI) department using the latest in digital
        imaging technologies for diagnosis and to reduce patient wait times
    -   Surgical services
    -   Inpatient medical/surgical beds
    -   Critical care and complex continuing care
    -   A maternal/child/women's health unit
    -   Inpatient and outpatient acute mental health services.

    "Our government is undertaking Ontario's largest ever hospital reform
initiative and the most ambitious infrastructure plan in a generation," said
George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minster of Energy and Infrastructure.
"But this project is more than simply increasing capacity and building better
facilities. Ultimately it is about improving the quality of people's lives and
providing families in Woodstock and the surrounding community with enhanced
care close to home. And I'm proud to be here today to celebrate this great
achievement."
    Integrated Team Solutions (ITS) is the consortia responsible for
building, financing and maintaining the new facility. The ITS team includes
EllisDon, LPF Infrastructure Fund, Honeywell, CIT, Sunlife Assurance Company,
Great West Life and Industrial Alliance.
    Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2011. At the peak of
construction, there will be approximately 200 workers on site daily.
    "This is an extremely exciting day for our staff and our community. It
marks a significant stride in our commitment to provide the people we serve
with high quality health care," said Natasa Veljovic, President and CEO of
Woodstock General Hospital.

    Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are
working with Woodstock General Hospital to redevelop the facility, which will
remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable.
Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to managing some of
the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects -
ensuring they are built on time and on budget.
    Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.

    Disponible en français


    Backgrounder

    The New Woodstock General Hospital
    ----------------------------------

    Woodstock General Hospital's new three-storey, 350,000 square foot
state-of-the-art facility will replace the aging, community hospital in
Woodstock and bring expanded regional programs and services to Woodstock and
Oxford County.
    With this new facility, Woodstock General Hospital will continue to
provide a high quality-healing environment for its patients, with increased
patient comfort control systems and the latest technologies in patient care,
larger patient care areas increasing quality of life patient care, safety and
work life for staff, volunteers and visitors.
    The facility will provide staff with the latest technologies, permitting
enhanced responsiveness to manage changing healthcare needs and improved
communications with internal and external partners. It will greatly assist in
attracting physicians, nurses and medical professionals to Oxford County by
providing a contemporary working environment, with modern equipment.
    The new Woodstock Hospital will be the largest public sector construction
project in the area.

    Improvements and Expanded Services
    ----------------------------------

    Improved infection control

    -   In keeping with best practice standards in preventing the spread of
        hospital-acquired infections, private room accommodation has been
        increased to seventy-two percent (72%), with the remaining rooms
        being semi-private accommodation (28%).
    -   New infection control guidelines and pandemic planning measures
        resulting from SARS were applied to all areas of the hospital,
        including unit design that allows for inpatient segregation during
        outbreak periods, centralized staff changing facilities, hand wash
        sinks and segregation areas for both patient waiting and care.
    -   Patient rooms with large individual washrooms, meeting current
        accessibility standards.

    Sustainability and green features

    -   The new hospital will be environmentally friendly and has been
        designed to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
        Design) certification.
    -   Environmental features include energy efficiency and the use of
        sustainable materials to help create a healthy environment and reduce
        greenhouse gas emissions.

    Improved life safety and flexibility

    -   Patient and staff safety were highlighted as fundamental
        considerations throughout the design phase and will continue
        throughout the construction process and thereafter.
    -   The new hospital will adhere to increased life safety and
        accessibility standards.
    -   The flexible design allows for potential future additions.

    New Inpatient Rehabilitation Program

    -   The hospital will house a new inpatient rehabilitation program that
        will work in partnership with community agencies.
    -   The program will provide a continuum of innovative rehabilitative
        services to persons with physical, language and/or cognitive
        disabilities, to assist them in attaining the highest quality of
        life.
    -   The hospital anticipates operating an Intensive Day Treatment Program
        for patients requiring intensive rehabilitation therapy, but not in
        need of overnight nursing services.
    -   A 'Transition to Independent Living' (TILU) is available for patients
        requiring training in community living skills prior to returning to
        independent living.

    Larger Maternal/Child/Women's Health Unit

    -   This unit continues to focus on a family centered birthing service,
        providing birthing rooms and post partum rooms.
    -   The unit includes women's surgical and gynaecological services to
        promote patient centered care.

For further information: Amy Tang, Minister's Office, Energy and
Infrastructure, (416) 327-6747; Jennifer Sclisizzi, Infrastructure Ontario,
(416) 325-7409; Vicki Davey, Woodstock General Hospital, (519) 421-4226;
Natasa Veljovic, Woodstock General Hospital, (519) 421-4211