News Release/Photo Opportunity - Construction begins on state-of-the art
rehabilitation hospital wing
Rebuilding people's lives in North York, Toronto and throughout Ontario
TORONTO, June 7 /CNW/ - People recovering from traumatic illnesses and life-changing injuries will soon have access to a state-of-the-art rehabilitation facility equipped to deliver 21st-century rehab care.
Today, St. John's Rehab Hospital celebrated the start of its first major construction project since 1973. Named in honour of a visionary $2-million donation, the John C. and Sally Horsfall Eaton Centre for Ambulatory Care will have the space and features to support the more than 40,000 outpatient visits the hospital sees each year.
"I am pleased to see the ground breaking of the new John C. and Sally Horsfall Eaton Centre for Ambulatory Care here in my riding of Willowdale," says David Zimmer, MPP, Willowdale. "This state-of-the-art facility will enable the delivery of first class care to patients in my riding and the surrounding communities."
Currently, St. John's Rehab's outpatient services are spread across three separate wings. Our aging infrastructure can no longer adequately support patients' emerging rehab needs, nor today's specialized rehab equipment. The dramatically expanded space will allow the hospital to rebuild the lives of survivors of traumatic car accidents, workplace injuries, severe burns, strokes, organ transplants and other life-changing illnesses and injuries.
The new facility will include: - New modern therapy pool and a spacious gym to help patients return to everyday activities - Enhanced clinic space for face-masks, splinting and gait-training - Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the hospital's 25 acres of landscaped grounds and new therapy garden - a key element in the whole-person approach to care - Additional, accessible parking for patients and visitors - An urgently-needed new main entrance with the latest accessibility features
The redevelopment will also allow the hospital to spread its 160 inpatient beds from four to five floors. This will create additional treatment space and allow more room for modern rehabilitation equipment.
"In just 18 months, we'll have an even better place for patients to work at achieving their goals," says Malcolm Moffat, President and CEO, St. John's Rehab Hospital. "This exciting expansion will help St. John's Rehab meet the challenges of the increasing numbers of injuries and complex chronic diseases, and an aging population."
The construction project is scheduled to continue until 2012. Buttcon Limited will build this new facility.
Patients, donors, staff and community members joined today to celebrate the construction project and the successful completion of the $15-million Rebuilding Lives fundraising campaign. The campaign, which has been in progress since 2006, supports the redevelopment project, rehabilitation research, educational programs for our expert clinical staff, and specialized treatment equipment.
The success of the first campaign in support of the hospital since 1937 is thanks to the incredible commitment of our donors, staff and the campaign cabinet committee which led the efforts for the fundraising. St. John's Rehab Hospital thanks the Ontario government, our staff, our donors and our community for their support to rebuilding people's lives.
About St. John's Rehab Hospital
St. John's Rehab is the only hospital in Ontario solely dedicated to specialized rehabilitation. This North Toronto facility is a community affiliated teaching site of the University of Toronto and is recognized as a high-performing hospital by the Ontario Hospital Association's Hospital Report Series. Home to Ontario's only burn and Canada's only organ transplant rehabilitation programs, we care for people with complex, life-changing illnesses and injuries. With a unique focus on the whole person - body, mind and spirit - St. John's Rehab Hospital is rebuilding people's lives. For more information about St. John's Rehab Hospital visit www.stjohnsrehab.com.
For further information: Audrey Kim, Advisor, Media Relations and Strategic Communications, St. John's Rehab Hospital, (416) 226-6780 ext. 7089, [email protected]
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