It’s not for a lack of trying but no one should hold their breath waiting for a big announcement on any Kincardine Hospital re-development in the near future.
However, the President and CEO of the South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Paul Davies says the process is continuing.
Following approval by the Southwest Local Health Integration Network for redevelopment at the hospital, members of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care have toured the facility as well.
Davies says otherwise he hasn’t a thing from the ministry.
He cautions that these types of projects fall prey to the availability of capital funds offered by the province and election cycles as well.
The province will be in an election in less than a year from now.
But Davies says from a redevelopment standpoint — there is no doubt the Kincardine hospital has the most need and to that end — Davies says he applies most of his resources to try to advance the project.
Meanwhile, Huron Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell says it’s all about the queue.
The queue is the five-year development plan of the province.
Mitchell says we’re not in the queue yet because it has not been developed by the province.
However, she says she has sent letters to Health Minister Deb Matthews and Premier Dalton McGuinty, explaining the plight of Kincardine Hospital.
The first phase of any redevelopment would see areas considered “high priority” rebuilt to connect the Kincardine Hospital to the existing Kincardine Medical Clinic.
That would mean a brand new emergency department, ancillary services, lab, X-ray, and ambulatory care.
Phase two of the project would replace the remainder of the areas, including the in-patient wing.
