The current Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital in Picton. (Photo: Quinte News)
It is an occasion well worth celebrating. On April 17, 1919, the doors swung open on Prince Edward County’s first ever hospital, Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.
It was tiny compared to the hospital that stands now, just nine beds and one operating room, but it was something the residents of the county knew was needed and they pushed hard to get it open.
Over $10,000 had to be raised to build that first hospital which was located on Hill Street in Picton.
A celebration of PECMH’s centennial anniversary was held at the hospital Wednesday.
Lead physician Dr. Norma Charriere said general practitioners did just about everything there was to do in the beginning and along with the nurses faced cholera, influenza, diptheria, and polio epidemics.
And, she stressed how much ordinary residents were involved with the hospital.
Lead Physician at PECMH Dr. Norma Charriere. (Photo: John Spitters/Quinte News)
The hospital quickly expanded several times after initially opening and nurses were soon graduating from a school of nursing on site.
From the original nine-bed facility, the hospital eventually moved to its present location on Main Street and at its peak capacity held upwards of 50 beds.
Meanwhile all of the speakers, while honoring the past, stressed how bright the future of PECMH is. Plans are in the works and now being studied by the provincial government for a brand new hospital. If all goes well, it’s hoped it will be open in just six years time, in 2025.
The Vice-President of Quinte Health Care Brad Harrington told the crowd that he was certain the new hospital in Picton would become a reality.
Vice-President of QHC Brad Harrington. (Photo: John Spitters/Quinte News)
He had the chance to see the PC government’s healthcare spending plans in a lock-up even before the budget was announced to the public recently.
He also said that local MPP and cabinet minister Todd Smith had, on more than one occasion, publicly said that the new hospital was “a go.”
Meanwhile, prominent citizen and former mayor of the County Leo Finnegan described how wonderfully he had been treated by the staff, both medical and support, at the hospital when he hadn’t been feeling well.
“Everyone knows somebody here. Everyone’s treated like family. It’s just the County way!”
Former Mayor of Prince Edward County Leo Finnegan. (Photo: John Spitters/Quinte News)
Also speaking at the ceremony was Mayor Steve Ferguson, David Joyce (on behalf of MPP Todd Smith), and MP Neil Ellis. The Master of Ceremonies was the Chair of Quinte Health Care Board of Directors Stuart Wright.
Current Picton Mayor Steve Ferguson. (Photo: John Spitters/Quinte News)
