LONDON- The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and MPP for London North Centre, the Honourable Chris Bentley, Attorney General, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and MPP for London West, and Khalil Ramal, MPP for London - Fanshawe joined Dr. Gillian Kernaghan, President and CEO of St. Joseph's Health Care London, St. Joseph's staff, volunteers, patients, community members and partners for St. Joseph's specialized mental health care building's official groundbreaking ceremony in London. 

The new 420,000 square-foot facility will be constructed adjacent to Parkwood Hospital in London. Its programs will accommodate services for:  

  • adolescent psychiatry   
  • assessment 
  • concurrent disorders 
  • geriatric psychiatry 
  • mood and anxiety disorders 
  • psychosis 

The project also includes the construction of a new forensic mental health-care facility on the existing lands in St. Thomas, which will replace the current facility. A groundbreaking ceremony was held to celebrate the start of construction in St. Thomas on April 1, 2011.  

The new facilities will better support staff and provide a recovery model of care for patients by creating healing environments, in a neighbourhood and community setting, which will allow for individual growth and skill development. This will enable patients to return to community living more successfully.

In addition to the health-care benefits, the project will also provide a boost to the regional economy by supporting and creating jobs.  At the peak of construction, it is estimated that approximately 200 workers will be on site daily. Construction of the new mental health facility is expected to be completed in December 2014.

Integrated Team Solutions (ITS) the consortium selected to design, build, finance and maintain the new mental health facilities, represents a joint venture between EllisDon Corporation and Fengate Capital Management Ltd., with EllisDon also providing design build services. The facilities were designed by Parkin Architects and architects Tillmann Ruth Mocellin. Honeywell Limited will provide facilities management. Scotia Capital acted as financial advisor to ITS.

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with St. Joseph's to build the hospitals, 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. As well, it is dedicated to providing the public sector and not-for-profit organizations with long-term financing to renew their infrastructure. 

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca and www.sjhc.london.on.ca restructuring for more information. 

Quotes 

Hon. Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and MPP for London North Centre 
“Our government is committed to providing people with mental illness access to the services they need. We're pleased to have invested in the new St. Joseph's specialized mental health care building where patients will receive necessary support to improve their lives and return to the community.”

Hon. Chris Bentley, Attorney General, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and MPP for London West 
“Investing in our health care infrastructure is a great way to stimulate our economy, create jobs and build stronger and healthier communities.” 

Hon. Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure 
“Today's announcement illustrates the government's commitment to building modern health-care facilities that provide Ontarians with the services they need and deserve.” 

Khalil Ramal, MPP for London - Fanshawe 
“This project will provide enormous health-care benefits for our community. Now that it is under construction, it will also help create jobs and spur economic development throughout the region.”

Dr. Gillian Kernaghan, President and CEO of St. Joseph's Health Care London 
“These two facilities will have one vision- to help us provide the absolute best patient care experience possible. At  St. Joseph's, we are dedicated to patients and these new buildings will offer dignified, comfortable spaces, and allow for life affirming progress and skill development as people journey toward recovery.”  

Contacts: 

Amanda Jackman 
St. Joseph's Health Care London 
519 646-6100 ext. 47155

Lyndsie York 
Infrastructure Ontario 
416-326-9368  

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