Osler launches vision to transform Peel Memorial site into a Centre for
Integrated Health and Wellness

BRAMPTON, ON, Nov. 5 /CNW/ - William Osler Health System yesterday unveiled more information on its plans to redevelop its Peel Memorial site in Brampton. Ken White , Supervisor for Osler, shared the vision to transform the site into a Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness with the media and public at the first of two information sessions that will be held at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel in Brampton. The second session will be held on November 24th at the Marriott Courtyard Brampton at 7pm .

"We have an opportunity here to create a vision for health and wellness for Brampton that represents the future of healthcare in Canada ," said Mr. White . "The Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness will combine the best of ambulatory care, primary care, family medicine, seniors' health services and other programs that will help build healthier communities and support the health system priorities of the area. We're very excited about the health service as well as the economic and development opportunities this project will bring to the Brampton community."

    
    FACTS

    -   The project planning continues following the submission of the
        business case to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. No formal
        approval of the business case has been received.

    -   The vision for the Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and
        Wellness includes:

        -  Expanding access to an integrated emergency and urgent care
           system, by providing an urgent care program that will be staffed
           by emergency physicians and nurses and linked with emergency
           departments of both Brampton Civic and Etobicoke General.

        -  Creating a centre of excellence in ambulatory care, by providing
           state-of-the-art facilities to deliver an extensive list of
           day/outpatient surgery services, medical clnics and diagnostic
           services.

        -  Advancing family health and wellness in an ever-growing community,
           through an integrated women's and children's program focusing on
           outpatient maternal/newborn and paediatric clinics, gynaecology
           and obstetrical services.

        -  Supporting the growing mental health needs of our diverse
           communities, through services such as regional geriatric services,
           a centre for community mental health and addictions, an
           intervention clinic and a crisis management centre.

        -  Improving access to health care through family doctors, by
           providing an opportunity to build a family health team - this area
           of the province has the fewest family doctors per capita than any
           other area - that will better link and integrate patients with the
           array of services and health professionals available in one site.

        -  Responding to the evolving health needs of an aging population, by
           creating a centre for rehabilitation and seniors' wellness,
           including inpatient rehab and complex continuing care beds,
           outpatient services and specialized geriatric clinics and
           programs.

    -   As proposed in the business case, the project will be developed in
        two phases:

        -  Phase one: demolition of all existing buildings and construction
           of new, state-of-the-art ambulatory care, urgent care, day surgery
           and primary care facilities, diagnostic facilities and clinics, as
           well as 128 inpatient beds for rehabilitation and complex
           continuing care.

        -  Phase two: construction of additional buildings on the site to
           accommodate growth in services and partnership opportunities.

        -  Square footage: 500,000 square feet for ambulatory services and an
           additional 800,000 square feet for partnership space, totaling 1.3
           million square feet.

    -   The cost of the project is as follows:

        -  Phase one: $413 million.

        -  90% of the construction costs are funded by the provincial
           government. 10% of the construction costs, as well as the costs
           for equipment and the costs to build parking facilities, must come
           from 'local share'. Local share support is generated through
           revenue from sources such as public donations, partnerships and
           parking revenue.

    -   The projected timelines are as follows:

        -  Demolition, 2010.

        -  Construction, 2011.

        -  Completion of phase one of the project, 2015.

        -  Completion of phase two of the project, 2024.

    BACKGROUND

    -   In October 2007, Peel Memorial Hospital closed as Brampton Civic
        Hospital, at the time the largest and most state-of-the-art community
        hospital in Canada, opened to the community.

    -   After originally being slated for permanent decommissioning, a task
        force commissioned by the Central West Local Health Integration
        Network recommended, following public consultation, that the site be
        redeveloped as a multipurpose health care centre to support
        ambulatory care, urgent care, outpatient/day surgery as well as
        inpatient rehabilitation and complex continuing care beds.

    -   In September 2008, Osler and the Central West LHIN formally announced
        the start of the Peel Memorial redevelopment project. Osler began the
        planning process at that time.

    -   In March of 2009, the architectural firm, Zeidler Partnership
        Architects, as well as project planning partners were selected and
        joined Osler's redevelopment planning group.

    -   In September 2009, the business case to redevelop the Peel Memorial
        site as a Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness was submitted to
        the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
    

WILLIAM OSLER HEALTH SYSTEM

William Osler Health System is home to Canada's premier community hospitals - Brampton Civic, Etobicoke General and Peel Memorial (under redevelopment) - and serves nearly one million residents of the communities of Brampton, Etobicoke, Malton, Caledon and surrounding areas. Osler's emergency departments are among the busiest in Ontario and its labour and delivery program is one of the largest in Canada . Visit www.williamoslerhs.ca.

For further information: Communications & Marketing, [phone] ext. 59940