WOODSTOCK - Woodstock General Hospital, EllisDon Corporation and Infrastructure Ontario are pleased to announce that the substantial completion of the new state-of-the-art health-care facility, which will replace the existing hospital, was reached on June 24, 2011.

Substantial completion means that construction is complete in accordance with the project agreement and the facility will now be turned over to the hospital.

Woodstock General Hospital broke ground on its new facility in November 2008 and construction has been completed on time and on budget.

With construction complete, Woodstock General Hospital will begin preparations for occupancy of the new facility, which will take place on November 20, 2011, including:

  • ongoing performance testing to ensure the building is ready for patients
  • delivery and installation of remaining equipment and furniture
  • training and orientation for staff, physicians and volunteers

The new facility has capacity for 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 is more than double the size of the current facility. In replacing the existing hospital, which opened in 1895 and has 113 beds, the new hospital will allow health care professionals to 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
  • 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
  • maternal/child/women's health unit
  • inpatient and outpatient acute mental health services

At the peak of construction, more than 200 construction workers worked at the site on a daily basis.Woodstock General Hospital expects to hire up to 200 new staff members and allied health professionals, once all beds and services are opened, and recruit approximately 10 new physicians to the area to accommodate the increase in inpatient beds and new services.

Integrated Team Solutions (ITS) is the consortia responsible for building, financing and maintaining the new facility. The ITS team includes EllisDon, Fengate Capital Management, Honeywell, CIT, Sunlife Assurance Company, Great West Life and Industrial Alliance.

Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to delivering some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects - ensuring they are built on time and on budget - as well as providing the public sector and not-for-profit organizations with longterm financing to renew their infrastructure.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.

Quotes:

Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure
“The completion of the new Woodstock General Hospital is a tremendous accomplishment. Not only will this state-of-the-art health-care facility serve the needs of this community for generations to come, but it has also been designed to meet rigorous requirements for energy management and conservation.”

Natasa Veljovic, President and CEO of Woodstock General Hospital
“This project enables our staff and physicians to continue providing access to the highest quality of care for our patients in an atmosphere that is truly designed to offer patient and family-centered care.”

Contacts:

Mandy Downes
Infrastructure Ontario
416-327-5246

Vicki Davey
Woodstock General Hospital
519-421-4226

Disponible en français