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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 23, 2007 - 15 The Pulse O Planning for the Future Planning for the new Oakville Hospital is now well underway. With construction slated to begin in 2010, a mere three years away, there is no time to lose. Our goal is to design a distinctive centre of healthcare excellence that will offer first-rate care in an innovative environment that supports the physical, emotional and spiritual health of people who come for treatment and for those who deliver it. "This is an incredibly exciting project," said John Oliver, Halton Healthcare Services (HHS) President and CEO. "It's not everyday that you get to plan a hospital from the ground up." Overseeing the activity involved in the planning process are the staff in the newly created Redevelopment Office who are currently working with the staff, physicians and volunteers at OTMH to update the Functional Program for the new Hospital. "This document outlines the functions, procedures, workloads, staffing and physical space requirements for the project," said Bill Bailey, HHS Vice-President, Redevelopment. "The Functional Program is one of the cornerstones of our planning process." "Building a new hospital provides us with the unique opportunity of exploring the most effective ways to create a facility that will best support the needs of our community," says Mr. Oliver. "More than simply building a `bigger and shinier' new Hospital, we want to transform the care environment and the patient experience. It will be important for the community to be inspired, informed and engaged throughout the planning process." In early March, HHS is hosting a series of Patient-Centred Community Design Focus Groups with a variety of representatives from our community. Selected groups of former patients and their families, donors, community representatives, board members, staff, physicians and volunteers have been invited to these meetings which are designed to gather information that will help shape the look and feel of the new Hospital. The Focus Group meetings will be facilitated by two individuals, independent of HHS, who have experience in developing patient-centered approaches to healthcare. This new Oakville Hospital Project received approval to proceed from the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care and Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal in September 2005. The Hospital will be built on a greenfield site in North Oakville. Current forecasts predict construction will begin in late 2010 with occupancy expected in 2013. If you would like more information about this project or would be interested in participating in one of the Focus Groups, email newoakvillehospital@haltonhealthcare.on.ca www.haltonhealthcare.com NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM OAKVILLE-TRAFALGAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OTMH Community Partners Program Workshop The OTMH Community Partners Program is designed to honour groups and individuals who host events to raise funds in support of the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Becoming an OTMH Community Partner is easy! If r your group is planning a special event, simply include a fundraising activity and donate the proceeds to the Oakville Hospital Foundation (OHF). Groups contributing $1,500 or more, annually, will have access to the many valuable program benefits. To find out more about becoming a partner, join us at the OTMH Community Partners Workshop. Both current and potential partners will gather to learn more about the program, while celebrating the impact they are having on the health of our community. When: Thursday, March 29th, 2007 Where: OTMH lobby Time: 4:30 ­ 6:00 pm For more information about the workshop or the OTMH Community Partners Program, please contact Mike Bartlett at 905-845-2571, ext. 6248. You can make a difference to the health of our community! Free Living Healthy Seminar Chronic Kidney Disease: Prevention and Management With Dr. Daniel Sapir, Nephrologist Wednesday, March 28th ­ 7:00 p.m. OTMH, 327 Reynolds Street, Oakville For more information or to reserve a seat, please call 905-338-4379 or email elittle@haltonhealthcare.on.ca Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital 327 Reynolds St., Oakville, ON L6J 3L7 905-845-2571 Milton District Hospital 30 Derry Rd. East, Milton, ON L9T 2X5 905-878-2383 Georgetown Hospital 1 Princess Anne Drive, Georgetown, ON L7G 2B8 905-873-0111 Sleeman is proud to be an active community member of Oakville