Brockville General Hospital expansion breaks ground

The ground breaking ceremony to kick-off the expansion of the Brockville General Hospital took place Wednesday. The $173-million project is scheduled to be complete in September of 2020.

This project will allow the hospital to deliver all medical services from one location. The crowd at the event gathered in a tent due to the weather, but they still got the chance to celebrate with those helping to pay for the lion’s share of the project, the provincial government. Infrastructure Minister Bob Chiarelli attended on behalf of Dr. Helena Jaczek, Ontario’s minister of health and long-term care.

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“I’m not bringing this hospital to Brockville, this hospital is here because of the people in Brockville,” says Chiarelli. He said it was due to Brockville’s community leadership that funding was coming to the hospital.

Brockville mayor Dave Henderson and local M.P.P. Stephen Clarke were also present to make speeches and to break ground.

Nick Vlacholias is the president of the Brockville General Hospital. He says the new patient tower will increase capacity by 22 beds. It will also bring a number of services, both in-patient and out-patient to one site.

Vlacholias says that having the system they have now with two campuses is difficult, especially for patients and families who have to deal with transfers.

“Having one consolidated site will be good for patients and families as well as staff.”