CELEBRATING THE JURAVINSKI HOSPITAL AND CANCER CENTRE'S REDEVELOPMENT AT
HAMILTON HEALTH SCIENCES

Hospital's Phase 1A project officially opened

HAMILTON, ON, Sept. 23 /CNW/ - The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and the Honourable Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP Hamilton Mountain and Minister Responsible for Seniors and Minister of Revenue, joined hospital officials, community members and health care partners today to celebrate the opening of the redeveloped Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre.

MPP Ted McMeekin MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale also participated in the event.

Patients and staff moved into their new facilities on August 1, 2010. Highlights of the 425,000 square foot Phase 1A addition include:

• A state-of-the-art Emergency Department built to maximize efficiency and patient flow with infection control principles at the forefront of its design.
• A Surgical Suite including eight large, new operating rooms equipped with the latest in medical technology.
• A consolidated Diagnostic Imaging Department featuring new leading-edge imaging equipment, including a new 3T MRI.
• An enhanced Oncology Inpatient Unit designed to meet the needs of the patients and their families.
• A new Hematology Inpatient Unit featuring patient rooms with picturesque views of the Hamilton skyline and specialized air filtration systems.
• A custom-designed Intensive Care Unit affording privacy and comfort to our most critically-ill patients and their visiting loved ones.

With Phase 1A complete, Phase 1B has now begun and is expected to be completed by summer 2012. Phase 1B involves:

• A new medical diagnostic unit;
• a Pain Management Centre;
• clinical exam space;
• front lobby and information area;
• food services and gift shop;
• auditorium and meeting space; and
• office space.

When all phases are complete, the hospital's expansion will result in enhanced general hospital services, including a full-range of acute inpatient and ambulatory services supporting cancer care and patients from the Cancer Centre. The expansion will also create additional oncology beds and increased capacity in emergency services, surgery, diagnostic services, outpatient clinics and support areas.

Construction on the (formerly Henderson General Hospital) Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre began in February 2008 and the project is progressing on time and on budget for full completion in spring 2012.

Approaching its third fall of construction, the project is more than 80 per cent complete. More than 60 construction workers are currently on site daily.

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with the Hamilton Health Sciences to redevelop Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, which will remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable.

Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to delivering some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects - ensuring they are built on time and on budget; as well, it is dedicated to providing the public sector and not-for-profit organizations with long-term financing to renew their infrastructure.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.

Quotes:

The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
"I'm thrilled to see the doors open at the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre. These facilities will not only improve access to quality care for this community, it also demonstrates our government's commitment to improving health care in Hamilton."

The Honourable Sophia Aggelonitis, Minister Responsible for Seniors and Minister of Revenue
"I am very excited for everyone in Hamilton who has worked so hard to see this beautiful health care facility take shape. The Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre provides Hamilton patients with a fully accessible, state-of-the-art healing environment close to home. I'm proud of our government's investment in helping to make this happen."

Murray Martin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hamilton Health Sciences
"Beautiful and wonderful. Many people have been dreaming about this and planning for a long time - to finally move in was exciting to say the least. This redevelopment significantly strengthens the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre site as a regional centre of excellence in cancer care and orthopedics, while providing emergency and acute care to our community. We are grateful for the support of the Government of Ontario in helping us to realize this dream for the patients we serve."

Disponible en français

For further information:

Infrastructure Ontario  Terence Foran  416-325-2939

Hamilton Health Sciences Roxanne Kantzavelos 905-521-2100, Ext. 76030 905-912-0524 Cell