Ontario Investing $8.7 Million to Expand Quinte Health Care Network

The Ontario government is investing an additional $8.7 million to support the planning and design of the new Quinte Health Care Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital in Picton. Once complete, this new state-of-the-art hospital will replace the existing aged facility, expand capacity, improve access to quality care and help end hallway health care for patients and families in Prince Edward County.

Details were provided on Friday, October 23, 2020 by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

“Our government continues to make critical investments in our hospitals from one end of the province to the other,” said Premier Ford. “Today’s investment is the first step in delivering a new hospital for the people of Prince Edward County that will not only create jobs and support local suppliers during construction, but once built, deliver quality patient-centred care in the community for years to come.”

The new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital will provide patients and families in the region with the following:

• Six additional in-patient beds, bringing the total to 18 beds in private rooms, with the ability to expand to 23 beds for future capacity;
• A larger, 24/7 emergency department that will provide more space for staff and patients;
• Modern surgical suites to deliver care with the best technology available;
• Dialysis treatments and diagnostic imaging; and
• Outpatient care services including minor surgical procedures such as endoscopies.

The helipad currently located at the hospital will be relocated to a nearby location, ensuring patients continue to receive emergency air transport and access to critical care services. Following design of the new hospital, project procurement is expected to begin in 2021. The procurement process will ensure a fair, open and transparent selection of a proponent to begin construction on the new hospital.

“Investing in major hospital infrastructure like the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital will help patients and families receive the connected, high-quality care they need, when they need it, close to home,” said Minister Elliott. “This investment is part of our government’s plan to end hallway health care and build a modern and connected health care system centred around the needs of patients.”

“Today’s significant investment for planning provides tangible evidence that a new state-of-the-art Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital will be built to meet the evolving and emergent needs of this community,” said Minister Smith. “Our government’s commitment to this project will strengthen the health care system in our region and bolster the local economy and residents’ quality of life.”

Rural hospitals like Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital play a critical role in ensuring equitable access to high quality care for patients and families across Ontario. This new hospital in Picton is part of Ontario’s investment of $27 billion over 10 years to build new and expanded hospital infrastructure.

“Building a new Quinte Health Care Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital represents a collaborative effort reinforced by the unwavering support of our partners and the community we serve,” said Mary Clare Egberts, President and Chief Executive Officer, Quinte Health Care. “We have all spoken with one voice about the need for a new hospital in Picton and the government has heard this message and has taken action. We are grateful for today’s announcement, which provides the necessary funds to support the next stage in planning for our new hospital.”

Quick Facts

• On September 30, 2020, the Ontario government released Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19, the province’s comprehensive plan to prepare the health care system and support frontline care providers’ readiness for a second wave of COVID-19.
• In addition, Ontario is investing $175 million this year through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund to help hospitals across the province maintain their infrastructure and ensure a safe and comfortable environment for patients to receive care.
• In September, Ontario invested $741 million to help clear the backlog of surgeries and build more capacity in the health care system to effectively manage surges and outbreaks in COVID-19 cases.