Prince Edward Memorial Hospital in Picton.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is poised to receive the master program from the Local Health Integrated Network on building a new hospital in Prince Edward County.
Recently local health care partners re-launched their efforts to build a new hospital in Picton with the Prince Edward Family Health Team and the South East Local Health Integration Network working together to submit the proposal. The lengthy program, which is the first step in the five phase process, gives a 20 year outlook for all of the hospitals under the Quinte Health Care umbrella. It was made possible through funding support from the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Ministry.
It also includes what services should be provided in the hospital, the structure required to maintain those services and a preferred site location. The business case proposes a new or renovated hospital with the existing services: inpatient beds, 24-hour emergency care, x-ray and endoscopy services. The County’s preferred location is where the development of the Wellings of Picton project is taking place behind the HJ McFarland Memorial Home that could include the hospital, nursing homes, medical clinic with space for the family health team and many other amenities. QHC is looking at all potential site options.
QHC’s manager of community relations Catherine Walker says this is the last set of documents needed before approving this first step and moving on to phase two which requires the submission of a business case.
Catherine Walker says while there is no guarantee a new hospital will be built there has been a lot of positive reinforcement as it’s a big priority for everyone.
In his August visit to the County, the Minister of Health and Long Term Care Dr. Eric Hoskins said the County has a tremendous opportunity for a health hub.
The price tag for the new hospital is projected to be around $50 million.
