A significant endorsement of Petrolia's CEE hospital came in the form of a $7.5-million capital grant from the provincial health ministry Wednesday.
Bluewater Health President and CEO Mike Lapaine shared the news on the steps of Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital Wednesday morning.
He says the grant endorses their master planning process -- which he expects to take a couple of years.
"I'm speculating it would take about two years, and that would presume that we're on a fast track, given that we've been given the funding grant up front which should move relatively quickly," says Lapaine. "Even with that, yes it could take up to two years. There are multiple steps and stages, just because of the complexity of what's involved in redeveloping a hospital."
Lapaine says the last significant investment in the hospital was 35 years ago.
Statue of Jake and Charlotte Englehart at Petrolia's CEE Hospital
"This hospital has been a cornerstone of healthcare delivery for 106 years and will continue to be that. When we began the process of master planning for this hospital the Town of Petrolia approached us and asked to be part of that planning. Their vision is to look at a whole health care village concept, where they want to plan the community resources around our hospital plan," says Lapaine. "I laud them for their vision, much like Jake and Charlotte, their vision will propel this community into the future."
Petrolia Mayor John McCharles says the announcement is a testament to what can happen when hospitals and communities work together.
"It's the community that's behind us totally," says McCharles. "The partnership with Bluewater Health and the town and central Lambton, is certainly something that, I think, the ministry recognizes. Our partnership is something that's unique to Ontario and maybe to Canada."
He says there's always been concerns about the hospital and about the emerg, so the announcement is a huge relief.
"This stabilizes our hospital, for sure," says McCharles. "It is a great day for Petrolia and the surrounding community because our hospital is a very important asset to our community. We've got a great hospital here and we're going to make it greater!"
While the overall redevelopment plan is multi-year and multi-phased, the grant will allow the hospital to carry out some initial infrastructure and life-safety improvements.
Good morning @TOWNofPETROLIA! Beautiful day for an announcement at CEE @bluewaterhealth hospital. #SLont pic.twitter.com/pvyZeMNqKA
— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) April 26, 2017
$7.5 M in capital funding being announced this morning in Petrolia for CEE hospital. #SLont https://t.co/jfyUdStVY3— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) April 26, 2017
Petrolia Mayor John McCharles with remarks. https://t.co/5DV8pNHhIA— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) April 26, 2017