New West Lincoln Memorial Hospital moving to construction phase
Shovels are hitting the ground to build a new West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH). The Government of Ontario has approved the start of construction to begin on the new Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) site following the closing of the project contract between EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare (EDIH) and HHS on April 29, 2022.
On behalf of the Government of Ontario, Sam Oosterhoff, MPP Niagara West, made the announcement today at the WLMH site. He was joined at the podium by Town of Lincoln Mayor, Sandra Easton, HHS President and CEO, Rob MacIsaac, and other representatives from the hospital, WLMH Foundation and West Niagara community.
EDIH will work with HHS and Infrastructure Ontario to deliver the new WLMH which will be built behind the existing facility, allowing the hospital to remain operational until the new one opens. EDIH has been awarded a $224 million contract to design, build and finance the project. The Ministry of Health funds approximately 90 per cent of the new hospital construction costs. The remaining approximately 10 per cent, as well as 100 per cent of furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) costs, are covered by the local share campaign, which is set at $50 million. The campaign is being led by the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation and its Take it to the Finish Campaign team, with generous support from the municipalities of Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln, and the Region of Niagara. The recent diagnostic imaging investments, including the new Computed Tomography (CT) scanner, will all transfer to the new building when it opens.
WLMH provides both inpatient services and outpatient services, including emergency services, complex and palliative care, surgery, and maternal and newborn care. The new WLMH will have twice the current operating room capacity, boast 100-per-cent single-patient rooms, and be home to a robust ambulatory care program with access to specialists from across HHS specializing in cardiac, cancer and seniors’ care, as well as a birthing program. As a site of HHS, WLMH also serves as a point of access to one of the largest health systems in Canada for patients requiring more specialized care.
QUOTES
“After decades of inaction by previous governments, our government is getting it done for the people of West Niagara. We’re getting shovels in the ground to build the new West Lincoln Memorial Hospital to ensure people and families in this growing community can access the care they need and deserve, closer to home.”
Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
“The pandemic has shone a bright light on the need for continued investment in modern health care facilities designed to meet the highest standards of safety and enable health care workers to provide the most exceptional experience possible for patients and families. We are excited about the future of WLMH as a site of HHS and are grateful to the government for its unwavering support to build a modern hospital in this region.”
Rob MacIsaac, President and CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences
“Our government is proud to be investing more than $40 billion over the next 10 years in hospital infrastructure, including about $27 billion in capital grants. This includes Ontario’s support of the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital development project, which moves to the next stage of its development today. We’re now one step closer to bringing West Niagara a new, bigger and even better hospital to serve this great community for many years to come.”
Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure
“Promise made, promise kept. Shovels are being put in the ground for our new WLMH. I have been advocating for this new hospital for our community since I was elected as MPP in 2016. Premier Ford and the Ontario government, working with local healthcare leaders, are getting the job done. This financial close and ground-breaking of our new West Niagara hospital is historic news for the people and patients of Niagara. I am thankful to have been able to work with many to get the shovels in the ground for this new hospital, and I am excited to see the project unfold over the coming months, as a modern world-class hospital comes to Niagara West.”
Sam Oosterhoff, MPP – Niagara West
“On behalf of the Town of Lincoln, Town of Grimsby, and the Township of West Lincoln, we are very pleased to see the construction of new hospital that will benefit the residents of all three of our communities. Each municipality is pleased to contribute to this very important project as timely access to critical care and clinical services is an important component to creating a complete community. Thank you to our colleagues at the Province, especially our MPP Sam Oosterhoff, for your commitment to seeing this through.”
Sandra Easton, Mayor, Town of Lincoln
“Our community has reached a significant milestone today; a moment when we know for certain that our new hospital will be built to serve this community for many generations to come. It goes without saying that this project would not have been possible without the support of many individuals and businesses, the rallying efforts of many, and the dedication of many volunteers. Today’s event is a testimony to everyone’s dedication and tireless advocacy for a new WLMH and for this we give thanks.”
Kevin Antonides, Chair, West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation Governing Board
Pamela Ellens, Executive Director, West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation
“We have been on an incredible journey for the last 20 years. Today is an exciting time for the community. The Foundation Governing Board, staff and campaign team wish to extend our heartfelt thanks for every effort and show of support provided towards raising the necessary funds of the $50 million local community share. We are very close to achieving this incredible goal…and we know that together we can take it across the finish line!”
Andrew Smith, Campaign Chair, Take it to the Finish…Building a Healthy Community
“The West Lincoln Memorial Auxiliary (WLMA) has been in operation, and supported the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital’s Staff, patients and visitors for the past 78 years. We are thrilled to reach this important milestone as construction starts on the new hospital. Many have worked very hard to help make this dream a reality, including our Volunteers. We are grateful to serve the existing Hospital and delighted to be part of the future new WLMH!”
Gail Bartlett, President, West Lincoln Memorial Auxiliary
“This is a very exciting day for the entire Niagara West community! I’d like to thank the entire community for being totally engaged in seeing this project through. Special thanks to our great staff at our beloved West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Premier Doug Ford, Minister Christine Elliott, Minister Surma and our great MPP Sam Oosterhoff for committing to rebuilding the hospital and delivering on that promise. Thanks also to the entire team at Hamilton Health Sciences under the CEO’s leadership working with the Ministries to deliver this project in record time…less than four years is a new provincial record in health-care infrastructure. One team one dream.”
Tony Joosse, Co-Chair, Save & Build WLMH
RESOURCES
WLMH redevelopment project: www.infrastructureontario.ca/West-Lincoln-Memorial-Hospital/
News about WLMH: wlmh.ca