LONDON - Deb Matthews, MPP for London North Centre, Khalil Ramal, MPP London-Fanshawe and Chris Bentley, MPP for London West joined hospital officials, community members and health care partners today to celebrate the opening of the new space for the Urgent Care Centre at St. Joseph's Hospital.

The new state-of-the-art facility offers many improvements for patient care, comfort and privacy and marks the first time St. Joseph's will have a space designed specifically for urgent care.  

Opening of the new space is part of the first phase of a redevelopment project that will see the renovation of approximately 81, 175 square feet of St. Joseph's Hospital for acute/ambulatory care. This work is expected to be completed in fall 2009. Services to be housed in the redeveloped areas include cataract suite, Urology Centre, endocrinology and diabetes services, inpatient surgical services and health records. Most of these services have already moved into their brand new spaces.  

The Urgent Care Centre (UCC) officially opened in February 2005 and since that time has operated out of the former emergency department at St. Joseph's Hospital. All urgent care services will now be located in the new Urgent Care Centre facility. 

Construction for Phase 1, led by D. Grant & Sons Limited, began in April 2007. Throughout the construction period, approximately 40 to 50 workers have been on the site each day. As a result of this project, on site workers have received $8.5 million in salaries to date and more than $13 million has been spent on supplies purchased locally.  Overall, the project has supported almost 230 jobs in the surrounding area and will provide an $18 million (2008 dollars) boost to the local and Ontario economies. 

"This is an important milestone for all people living in this community, not only today but for many years to come,” said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. "Our government's continued investment in health care infrastructure means that Ontarians across this province can access the care they need when they need it, in the most up-to-date facilities.” 

“This project is an essential part of the government's commitment to renew hospitals,” said David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. "More patients will get faster access to high-quality care closer to home once this project is complete.” 

“This is an incredible achievement for St. Joe's and for the residents of London and area.  This new space and equipment will facilitate first-class care,” said London North Centre MPP, Deb Matthews.

“I'm pleased to be here to celebrate progress on a construction project that benefits our entire community,” said London West MPP, Chris Bentley. “The opening of this new Urgent Care Centre demonstrates our government's commitment to keeping all Ontarians healthy now and well into the future.”

“The opening of new spaces for urgent care and other critical services that have already relocated is an important milestone for St. Joseph's Hospital and for residents of London and area,” said St. Joseph's Health Care, London President and CEO Cliff Nordal. “The redevelopment of this site gives our staff a new patient-centred environment in which to care for and support our patients and their families.”

“I'm pleased to acknowledge this significant achievement,” said Derek A. Smith, Executive Director of the London & District Construction Association. “Our member companies and their local employees are proud to be involved in a project that is so vital to the future of our community.” 

Infrastructure Ontario will work with St. Joseph's Health Care, London to complete the redevelopment of St. Joseph's Hospital, 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. 

Contacts: 

Amy Tang
Minister's Office 
Energy and Infrastructure
416-327-6747 

Marek Kubow 
St. Joseph's Health Care London 
519-646-6100, Ext. 65233 

Jessica Hooker 
Infrastructure Ontario 
416-327-5325 

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