WOODSTOCK, ON - Today is the deadline for the pre-qualified building teams to submit their proposals to build, finance and maintain hard facilities for the new Woodstock General Hospital.

With this new 178 bed facility, Woodstock General Hospital aims to provide a high quality healing environment for its patients with improved patient comfort and the latest technologies in bedside services and communications.

Over the next few months, Woodstock General Hospital and Infrastructure Ontario will evaluate the bidders' proposals based on criteria set out in the request for proposals (RFP). The successful bidder is expected to be announced in fall 2008 when the evaluation process is complete. Project costs will be shared with the public following financial close of the project. Construction is expected to begin shortly thereafter.

The three-storey replacement hospital will be 350,000 square feet and provide a full-range of clinical services and programs including:

  • Therapy services;
  • Cardio-respiratory services;
  • Pharmacy and laboratory services;
  • A new 22-bed inpatient rehabilitation program, in partnership with community agencies;
  • Diagnostic Imaging (DI) department using the latest in digital imaging technologies for diagnosis and reductions in patient wait times;
  • Surgical services with five operating room theatres;
  • Inpatient medical/surgical beds;
  • 12 critical care beds and 33 complex continuing care beds, including a six-bed palliative care unit;
  • A maternal/child/women's health unit with 14 beds, including five birthing rooms; and
  • Mental health services and beds.

“The Woodstock General Hospital project demonstrates our government's commitment to provide resources and facilities to serve the health care needs of people across Ontario,” said David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. “This project is part of the government's five-year $30-billion-plus infrastructure investment plan, which represents the biggest investment in health care infrastructure in more than a generation.”

“The bid submissions mark another important milestone for health care in Oxford County,” said John Wilkinson, Minister of Research & Innovation and MPP for Perth-Wellington. “This investment is another example of the McGuinty government's commitment to building a health care system that keeps Ontarians healthy.”

“With this announcement we are just one step away from putting a shovel in the ground,” said Glen McDonald, Chair, Board of Trust. “Over the summer and early fall, we will be working closely with the Infrastructure Ontario to choose a winning bidder to begin construction on our new hospital.”

“Step-by-step we're getting closer to the day when our new state-of-the-art hospital will open its doors,” stated Natasa Veljovic, President and CEO of Woodstock General Hospital. “Our new hospital, complete with modern equipment, will allow us to expand programs, recruit new staff and physically improve our delivery of quality healthcare.”

“Our community is growing,” comments Woodstock's Mayor, Michael Harding. “Toyota's presence has spurred unprecedented economic growth and a new hospital, with expanded programs, is essential to our city's infrastructure. We are anxiously awaiting the announcement of the successful bidder, so construction can begin.”

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with Woodstock General Hospital to develop the new replacement 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.

The project is guided by the principles outlined in the province's Building a Better Tomorrow framework, which ensures public ownership of core assets such as hospitals, schools, and water and wastewater facilities.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.

Contacts:

Amy Tang
Minister's Office
Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal
416-325-4048

Jennifer Sclisizzi
Infrastructure Ontario
416-325-7409

Vicki Davey
Woodstock General Hospital
519-421-4226

Natasa Veljovic
Woodstock General Hospital
519-421-4211

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