The government of Nova Scotia took another step forward in its consideration of a public-private partnership (P3) model for the much-needed renovations to the the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax.
The government asked Wednesday for P3 supplier qualifications as officials look into the design, construction, maintenance and financing for the hospital redevelopment.
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“We have said all along we will consider all delivery options to see what’s best financially and operationally,” Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Geoff MacLellan said in a release.
Tracey Barbrick, associate deputy minister of the Department of Health and Wellness, said in an interview the potential P3 model “could be everything from maintenance to building to some labour pieces that would come forward to government to make decisions.”
The $1.9-million contract for planning the renovation was awarded to Kasian Architecture in November.
The project includes expansion and renovation of the entire hospital site, which has been plagued by flooding, ailing infrastructure and pests.
John O’Connor, executive director of major projects for the Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Department, said some companies have already approached the government about offering their services.
Work is also needed at other hospitals including Dartmouth General, as the government prepares to close the Centennial and Victoria buildings of the Victoria General site.
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Pushback from public
The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour is critical of the approach, saying a P3 model could cost the government up to five times more.
“I can’t believe that the McNeil government is even considering allowing the private sector anywhere near our health care system in light of overwhelming, credible evidence that there is no risk for the private partner who sucks every dollar they can from taxpayers for health care services that operate as public‐private‐partnerships (P3s) which are really private for‐profit ‘care,'” federation president Danny Cavanagh said in a release.
Cavanagh added that if the government should decide to go with a P3 model for rebuilding the hospital, it would erode the universal health care system, “where profit becomes the focus of the service instead of health care.”
Chris Parsons, who is part of the Nova Scotia Health Coalition, told Global News that the P3 model is not good for the public.
“The public does not get a good deal,” Parsons said. “Who does get a good deal is the private sector.”
NDP Labour Critic Dave Wilson said the potential plan still needs clarification.
“We don’t know if they’re going to consider a P3 model for service delivery in healthcare, and that concerns me, and I know it concerns healthcare workers, but also, it should concern Nova Scotians,” Wilson said.
Barbrick said it will take a year to determine if P3 is right for the project and that services wouldn’t be the focus.
The deadline for submissions is Feb. 28 and the plan is to move all services out of the site by 2022.
– With files from Steve Silva, Global News
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