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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 16, 2006 - 7 Province promises to pay larger share of construction costs for new hospital By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Thanks Continued from page 6 The Province's unprecedented new funding formula for the construction of Oakville's new hospital is welcome news for all concerned. Now all that's left to nail down is just where the long-awaited facility will be built. On Tuesday, Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn announced on behalf of Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman that the Province will cover 90 per cent of the eligible construction costs for hospital projects in Oakville. That includes not only outright construction, but also the cost of the necessary equipment required for the new site plus expansion of existing facilities at the Reynolds Street location. "This is incredible news," said Flynn. "This is very exciting to me." This new policy simplifies the Ministry's share of construction costs. In the past, capital cost share rates varied from 50 per cent to 80 per cent depending on the project. Under this new policy, hospitals will be responsible for 10 per cent of the construction costs and the costs associated with the purchase of new and replacement equipment, estimated to be 20 to 25 per cent of the total cost of the project. "Today's announcement demonstrates our government's continuing support for local healthcare," said Flynn. "Our government is making it easier for Oakville to successfully raise local funds to complete their capital projects in a timely fashion. This announcement will benefit both the new hospital development and the redevelopment and expansion of the existing maternal child care unit at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital." Cost estimates for the new hospital have not yet been finalized but it's estimated that the new policy will reduce the required community share by more than $40 million. That said, Flynn believes the fundraising that has been a hallmark of OTMH will continue unabated to help pay for some of the necessary extras (such as vital equipment) to allow hospital staff to better treat their patients. "The possibilities are endless," he added. The announcement also included the government's plan to fund 100 per cent of the eligible costs related to the planning and design of hospital projects that will also benefit the Oakville project. "This is excellent news for our communities and our hospitals," said Halton Healthcare Services President and CEO John Oliver. "This new funding policy is welcomed by our hospital and Foundation boards who are preparing to meet the challenge of raising the community share of these projects. We applaud the Ministry of Health for their vision and commitment to improving access to quality healthcare services in our communities. We look forward to working closely with the Ministry as these projects move forward. These are very exciting times at Halton Healthcare." Flynn explained that the rationale behind the funding change is simply to get more and better hospitals onstream and help level the playing field for municipalities across the province. For too long, he continued, previous provincial governments simply moved from crisis to crisis so now more measured, long-term thinking is in order. To that end, the province is also issuing Requests for Proposals for 11 new hospital projects in 2006/07 worth $2 billion. Last September, the Province announced it was investing in the new state-of-the-art Oakville hospital. The current 50-year old, 10-acre site is entirely built-out with simply no room to expand while its existing facilities are cramped and unable to fulfill the promise of new technologies. The new facility will have more beds than OTMH and will provide a full range of health services, including acute care, pediatrics, surgical care, mental health programs and complex continuing care. On the physician side, the new site will go a long way to help retain and recruit doctors. The idea is also that patients will have improved access to quality healthcare and possess more confidence in the local healthcare system. The new site is currently in the planning stages. Construction is expected to commence in 2009 and could take at least 18 months to complete. One important detail still to be ironed out is the new location. The Province has agreed to make available 50 acres at Third Line and Dundas Street, although one other option being floated by other parties is a parcel of land at Trafalgar Road and Dundas. Trouble is, at only 15 acres, Flynn says this site is more compact and may create space problems akin to those at the current location. -- Howard Mozel can be reached at hmozel@haltonsearch.com. visits, medication, oxygen and, perhaps, a stay in a hospice. We are hoping to raise money to help Ken with these inevitable expenses. Your readers can help by making a donation to "The Friends of Ken Staton" at TD Canada Trust, Branch Transit: 0063; Account: 5214055. If we are able to bring Ken home, the funds will be used strictly for his direct medical expenses, and in any event, the residual funds left in the account will be donated, 50 per cent to the OTMH, and 50 per cent to The Canadian Cancer Society. Some of your readers may be wondering why they should give to such a singular cause. I fully understand their doubt, and I am somewhat embarrassed to be asking for such direct help. But this is a chance for us to help someone in our own community, someone who has been a victim of our Canadian bureaucracy, and someone who has such a limited time left to spend with his daughter and granddaughter. Whatever the outcome, we have come to realize we live in a community surrounded by amazing people. We are honoured and grateful to be Oakville residents. Thank you. 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