New hospital breaks ground, gets money

Lisha Van Nieuwenhove

At 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, ground was officially broken, marking the beginning of work on Uxbridge’s new hospital.

Members of council joined Oak Valley Health executives and two provincial members of parliament to mark the official start of work on Uxbridge’s new hospital. Photo submitted by Oak Valley Health staff

Many hands were holding shovels for the event. Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, Pickering-Uxbridge MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy, Oak Valley Health President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Fam, and Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer Elena Pacheco, gathered with Mayor Dave Barton, councillors, community leaders and hospital staff at the future hospital site for a kick-off ceremony, which included an announcement that the provincial government is investing an additional $8.9 million to support the redevelopment and expansion of the Uxbridge Hospital.

This first phase of work is being referred to as “early works activities,” and will prepare the site for the creation of a larger space to expand services and ensure the hospital can continue to meet the needs of Uxbridge’s growing community. The next stage of the project includes the construction of the east portion of the north service road, the building of a retaining wall and re-grading work.

“We’re proud to start construction on a future-ready health system that will serve patients and families for years to come," said Oak Valley Health President Fam.

The new hospital will feature: increased patient capacity, bringing the total number of beds at the hospital to 31; expansion of key services, including diagnostic imaging, cardiorespiratory services, and laboratory and pharmacy services; and increased access to inpatient, emergency and ambulatory services.

The project also includes a new 192-bed long-term care home, which will be on the hospital campus.