Ontario's Investment Will Help to Improve Health Care Services

Today is the last day for pre-qualified building teams to submit bids to build and finance projects to redevelop areas of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care, London.

“These projects demonstrate our government's commitment to provide resources and facilities to serve the health care needs of people across Ontario,” said Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan.  “They are part of the government's five-year $30 billion-plus infrastructure investment plan which represents the biggest investment in health care infrastructure in more than a generation.”

“These projects are an essential part of our government's plan to renew hospitals and lower emergency room wait times in the local community and across the province,” said Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, George Smitherman. “Once complete, these facilities will improve access to important health services so that London-area residents will get the care they need, when they need it.”

The St. Joseph's Health Care, London project will begin Phase 2 of St. Joseph's Hospital's ambulatory care renovations which will provide space for:

  • endoscopy;
  • city-wide ophthalmology services (which will be transferring from London Health Sciences Centre);
  • ear, nose and throat; 
  • ambulatory gynecology; and 
  • diabetes/endocrinology. 

The London Health Sciences Centre project involves the completion of approximately 465,000 square feet of shelled-in space in the North Tower at Victoria Hospital for new, state-of-the-art facilities, in addition to approximately 100,000 square feet of renovations to the existing facilities. The finished space will accommodate:

  • a new clinic, inpatient and administrative areas for Children's Hospital; 
  • women's care, including a new birthing centre and neonatal intensive care program (being transferred from St. Joseph's Hospital); 
  • child, adolescent and adult inpatient and outpatient mental health care;
  • adult medical/surgical inpatient care; and 
  • specialized clinical laboratories. 

Additional space will also be provided for:

  • diagnostic radiology and nuclear imaging services;
  • a 350-seat auditorium with associated teaching facilities; and 
  • support space, including a cafeteria. 

“The bid submissions mark another important milestone for health care in London,” said Attorney General and MPP for London West Chris Bentley. “We are committed to providing the resources and infrastructure to meet our community's health care needs.”

“The government's investment in London-area hospitals is important to everyone in our region,” said Minister of Children and Youth Services and MPP for London North Centre Deb Matthews.  “This investment is another example of the McGuinty government's commitment to building a health care system that keeps Ontarians healthy, reduces wait times and improves access to doctors and nurses.”

“We're very pleased with the progress that is being made on these redevelopment projects,” said Cliff Nordal, President and CEO of London Health Sciences Centre and President and CEO of St. Joseph's Health Care, London. “This announcement brings us one step closer to beginning construction on projects that will provide our patients with the best facilities that we can offer, along with the exceptional care they already receive.”

The bids will be evaluated over the next few months.  A successful bidder is expected to be named in spring 2008.  Construction is expected to begin shortly after.

Infrastructure Ontario is working with London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care, London to redevelop 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.

This project is guided by principles outlined in the Province's Building a Better Tomorrow framework, which ensures public ownership of core assets such as hospitals, schools, and water and wastewater facilities.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca  for more information.

Contacts:

Amy Tang     
Minister's Office   
Public Infrastructure Renewal  
416-325-4048

Jennifer Sclisizzi
Infrastructure Ontario
416-325-7409

Pat Smith    
London Health Sciences Centre  
519-685-8500 ext. 77062  

Kelly Almond
St. Joseph's Health Care, London
519-646-6100 ext. 65294

Disponible en français