The vision of launching the new Groves Memorial Community Hospital comes to fruition Sunday when the hospital officially opens its doors in Aboyne.
Stephen Street, president and CEO of Groves Memorial Community Hospital said the opening of the new massive 158,000 square-foot hospital marks the culmination of decades worth of vision, planning, fundraising and hard work.
“As a hospital, we’re a service organization. Our pride is knowing that we have the proper tools in the form of a modern healthcare facility to serve the needs of our patients for the years to come,” said Street in the soft launch of the hospital Friday with Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Health Christine Elliott, Mayor of Centre Wellington Kelly Linton, MP of Wellington-Halton Hills Michael Chong and MPP Ted Arnott present.
“Having this facility will also promote a vibrant community and economy which is equally important for the health of our population.”
Street said individuals seeking care from the community can now get the exact same care as if they were downtown Kitchener, London, Hamilton or Toronto. The new Groves is equipped with new and emerging technologies that will replace the ageing hospital in Fergus. The new hospital includes:
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Seven new inpatient beds, bringing the total of inpatient beds to 42 for medical, surgical, obstetrics, special care and complex continuing care, with 37 beds.
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Additional space for emergency, ambulatory, diagnostic and inpatient services;
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A surgical suite and full range of clinical support services including diagnostic imaging, laboratory and pharmacy departments;
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Modernized infection control measures, including additional isolation facilities to respond to a potential second wave of COVID-19, flu season or any disease outbreak
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An onsite helipad to allow fast access for patient transfers by air ambulance.
The building was built at a cost of $127.5 million on 30 acres of rural property between Fergus and Elora behind the Wellington County Museum and Archives.
The old hospital in Fergus closes at 6 a.m. on Sunday.
To support the operations of the new hospital, Ontario is also providing nearly $11 million more this year, which represents over 50 per cent increase in operational funding.
Ford said hospitals and community centres are very important to communities, especially small communities, because they bring people together. He also mentioned a long term care facility in the area would benefit the community and is something the government is working toward to bring across the province.
“We’re just pouring money into healthcare because when you have a strong healthcare system, you have a strong economy and people feel more comfortable going out there knowing they have a great hospital as back up here,” said Ford.
“With great people, we have to be able to give the tools to the incredible heroes, and they’re the frontline nurses and PSWs and everyone that takes care of hospitals. And people that never get mentioned is the maintenance staff. These hospitals do not run without a great maintenance team and I would like to acknowledge them as well.”
With just over a day left to open its doors, vice-president of clinical service Jill Schitka said the staff is in its final stages of relocating as they move remaining equipment such as diagnostic imaging machines.
Schitka said the move was originally scheduled for this spring and the entire hospital team has really given their all by sacrificing their summer for the big move.
“With COVID we had to slow and stop everything and really just care about caring for COVID,” said Schitka.
“Our team has a really happy sense of pride attitude,” said Schitka.
“They’ve got that really positive attitude and they really want to make sure it’s best and ready for our community. So I think that’s really the high point.”
