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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, December 11, 2009 · 14 Town wants more public consultation European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship "If there is a funding $200 million of our money.' shortfall, it will affect Folks are a little surprised. the scope of programs They have a lot of questions. and services. It will They want to not necessari- affect the technology ly debate whether or not the and equipment hospital is justified or if this upgrades that need to design build concept is the be in the building and way to go...they want to our capacity to build have a fair understanding for the future, having that we understand what 600 beds ready for the we're potentially contribut- future may not be posing to, that we've done our sible." due diligence, that we have a full understanding of John Oliver, OTMH what's going on," said president and CEO Knoll. "We are the stewards of grow to 600 beds by 2018 and 2019 the tax dollar in this town and any- without major expansion or redevelthing less than full disclosure, full opment. consultation, full transparency on "We need those beds today to be this decision is unacceptable to me frank with you," said Oliver. "We are and I think to all 13 members of this well aware now that this Town staff council and the public in general." report supports only $140 million. If Prior to the Tuesday meeting, there is a funding shortfall, it will Town staff had examined the HHS' affect the scope of programs and request in an effort to determine services. It will affect the technology exactly how feasible it was for the and equipment upgrades that need Town to provide $200 million to the to be in the building and our capacihospital project even if the contribu- ty to build for the future, having 600 tion was spread out over 30 years as beds ready for the future may not be planned. possible." Town staff concluded $200 milOliver was backed up in his fundlion was not affordable noting a sum ing concerns by a number of OTMH's of $140 million was more realistic. doctors, who spoke to council about "A donation to HHS commits the what could be lost if proper funds Town to a long-term liability, which were not allocated to the new hospiwill affect the Town's annual debt tal. repayment levels. Depending on the Emergency Department Doctor option chosen, the Town's opportu- Paul Healey said when resources are nities to build future facilities, main- scarce what gets compromised is tain existing infrastructure or patient comfort and dignity with acquire land or other assets deemed patients being laid out on stretchers important to the community could in the halls and worse. be restricted for many years," said "The last Saturday night that I Commissioner of Corporate Services worked we had a family come in, a Gord Lalonde in a report to council. father, mother and young child "A commitment to HHS will about two years old. They basically result in an annual tax rate increase came in because they were coneach year for nine years (an estimat- cerned about their child. They were ed increase of 1.2 per cent in 2011 placed in one of our treatment and an additional increase of 1.2 per rooms and while they were waiting cent each year until 2019 for a $200 for a doctor we had a violent psychimillion contribution). These increas- atric patient brought in by the es would need to remain in the base police," said Healey. until the obligation is fulfilled in "The thing about our physical 2044 (if the $200 million option was space is that our seclusion room, chosen there would be a minor where we put violent patients for reduction in 2023 of .61 per cent)." their own safety, was right beside the It's a price that needs to be paid room this family was in. Obviously, said HHS President and CEO John we moved them to another area, but Oliver, who pointed out Oakville the reality of the physical space is Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) there is nowhere in our emergency is already beyond capacity and sim- department where you could not ply cannot be expanded any further. hear that patient screaming and The new Oakville Hospital, he banging on the window." noted, would open with 457 beds in Healey said the current design of 2014 and 2015 with a capacity to See Hospital page 15 Continued from page 1 "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 905.849.0266 * FREE DAILY SERVICE Morning and afternoon departures to Fallsview Casino *After $10 Casino Rebate Government Photo ID required Morning & Afternoon From Hopedale Mall WEDNESDAY & NOW SATURDAY EVERY From Carpool Lot Guelph Line, North Service Rd EVERY SUN, TUES, THURS, FRI & SAT Minimum 5- hour stay required. 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