Request for qualifications issued for Halton Healthcare Services' new
Oakville hospital

TORONTO , Nov. 26 /CNW/ - Infrastructure Ontario and Halton Healthcare Services released a request for qualifications (RFQ) today to design, build, finance and maintain the new replacement Oakville Hospital.

The new replacement Oakville Hospital will be a state-of-the-art facility and with a full range of health services including:

    
    -   complex continuing care;
    -   rehabilitation;
    -   renal dialysis;
    -   acute inpatient care;
    -   inpatient and outpatient mental health;
    -   secondary and tertiary level programs; and
    -   a new cancer clinic to provide chemotherapy administration, blood
        transfusions, procedures and clinical trials for oncology and patient
        care resources.
    

The RFQ is the first step in the process to select a team to design, build, finance and maintain the new facility.

RFQ submissions will be reviewed to pre-qualify project teams with the design, construction and facilities management experience, the qualified personnel and the financial strength to deliver a project of this size and complexity. Pre-qualified teams will then be invited to respond to a request for proposals (RFP), expected to be released in spring 2010, to design, build, finance and maintain the new facility.

The New Oakville Hospital will target Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. LEED buildings focus on healthy indoor environments, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and efficient use of energy, water and other resources.

"Today we move another step toward greater access to health care," said Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn . "The new hospital will be a modern, state-of-the-art facility that will bring tremendous benefits to residents in our community."

"This announcement is a very important milestone in moving towards construction of our new hospital to better serve our patients and their families," said John Oliver , HHS President & CEO. "The release of our RFQ would not have been possible without the hard work of our staff, support of our community and the government. We are grateful for the commitment shown to the hospital by all of our partners and we look forward to continuing our collaborative work."

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with Halton Healthcare Services to develop the new hospital, which will remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable. Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to managing some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects - ensuring they are built on time and on budget.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.

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For further information: Terence Foran, Infrastructure Ontario, [phone]; Trish Carlton, Halton Healthcare Services, [phone]