Ontario Construction News staff writer
Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness in Brampton will be transformed from a day facility into a new inpatient hospital with a 24/7 emergency department.
Details were released last week by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, minister of health and Brampton MPPs. Currently, Peel Memorial is an urgent care centre. To support the transformation into a new hospital, the province will fund construction of over 250 net new beds at the site. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2023.
The province is also providing up to $18 million in 2021-22 to expand the urgent care centre to 24/7 operations, paving the way for an eventual emergency department as Peel Memorial expands into an inpatient hospital.
“Thanks to years of under investment, Brampton has waited far too long for access to the health care services their growing city needs,” said Premier Ford. “In the 2021 Budget, our government is finally delivering a new hospital and 24/7 emergency department for the great people of Brampton.”
“Ontario’s hospitals have been on the frontlines of the province’s COVID-19 response, and our government is committed to ensuring they have the infrastructure and tools they need to continue delivering exceptional care to our communities,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
“By supporting the transformation of Peel Memorial, this investment will help improve access to care for patients in the region, while also expanding hospital capacity and helping to end hallway health care.”
Peel Memorial will be upgraded to provide 24/7 hospital services including urgent care, complex continuing care, enhanced mental health, and rehabilitation for patients and their families.
Last year, William Osler added up to 87 hospital beds to alleviate hospital capacity pressures and reduce wait times as part of the government’s investment of $351 million for more than 2,250 new beds at 57 hospitals and alternate health facilities across the province.
“We are accelerating our long-standing work with a more than $30 billion plan to build, expand, and improve hospitals across the province over the next ten years,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, minister of finance. “This includes a historic and overdue investment for the Peel Region to ensure people can access care when they need in their community.”
The provincial budget announced last week – Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, brings total investments to $16.3 billion to protect people’s health and $23.3 billion to protect our economy. Ontario’s COVID-19 action plan support now totals $51 billion.
The government is investing more than $21 billion in capital grants over the next 10 years for hospital projects across Ontario that will lead to $30 billion in hospital infrastructure.
“This is an historic day for the people of Brampton, and I’m thrilled that after years of neglect from previous governments our community is finally getting our fair share. This new hospital will ensure that every Bramptonian has access to the quality care we need and deserve, and that hallway health care will finally become a thing of the past for Brampton families,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Brampton South MPP.