SUDBURY - There's soon going to be more bed spaces at Sudbury's Health Sciences North (HSN) hospital thanks to new funding approved by the Ontario government.
HSN announced Thursday that 52 new bed spaces will be created by renovating the current Children's Treatment Centre (CTC) space, part of the Ramsey Lake Health Centre building. The full renovation for the new beds should be completed by 2022.
“This is excellent news for our patients, staff, and the communities of Northeastern Ontario that we serve,” said HSN President and CEO Dominic Giroux. The province will be providing a capital grant for the project to help address the historical issue of hallway healthcare at HSN, said the hospital news release. The full amount will be announced as a later time once the final administrative reviews by each ministry and the tendering processes are complete.
"We thank Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, and their respective ministries for the expedited review and collaboration over the last year in advancing this short-term proposal. Northerners know HSN was built too small. This investment will certainly help with that," said Giroux.
The announcement will see the children's centre being moved to a new and nearby location, said HSN. Details on that move are expected to be revealed next week by Minister Smith, said HSN. The hospital said it is working the province to make the transition as seamless as possible for the children, their families and staff members.
Dr. Killian de Blacam, President of the HSN Medical Staff Executive, said members of the medical staff were pleased with the news of the project approval and the efforts of the hospital board.
“I commend the board, HSN leadership and the government for pulling this together. It’s a great collaboration and a win for everyone involved,” he said.
HSN said the expansion project is part of the hospital's 2019 to 2024 strategic plan which includes a new capital plan for creating new bed spaces.