A $2-billion proposal to completely overhaul and upgrade the healthcare system in Windsor-Essex is in front of the Ministry of Health for approval.
Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj says the government keeps in touch every few weeks about the mega-hospital proposal.
"We're hearing that sometime next calendar year we should be hearing about whether we're going to be moving to stage two," says Musyj. "It's critical. Right now we're at that if and when phase. Once we move to stage two, the if disappears, it's just a matter of when."
The main component would see a new ten-floor acute care hospital at the corner of County Rd. 42 and Ninth Concession Rd. The massive 60-acre site is situated right across from Windsor Airport and said to be the most accessible for everyone in Windsor and Essex County.
The new hospital is planned to have 500 beds with room to grow. Its size would be the equivalent of the current Met and Ouellette campuses combined plus an extra 30%.
Some features include a heli-pad, more privacy for patients, new technologies and better infection control. Officials also say this state-of-the-art facility would attract and retain top talent.
Erie St. Clair LHIN CEO Gary Switzer says the project is about much more than just a mega-hospital.
"For one site to be successful we need quite a few of our partners to be successful," says Switzer. "We have acute care, urgent care, we have mental health acute, we have mental health community; together it holds up the tent. You take one of these out, we don't have a system."
If the ministry approves, construction could start in the next four to seven years, with completion in seven to ten years.
BlackburnNews.com file photo of Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
BlackburnNews.com file photo of Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj speaks at the old Grace Hospital site, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Windsor Regional Hospital plans to build an urgent care centre at the old Grace Hospital site on University and Crawford, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
BlackburnNews.com file photo of Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare President and CEO Janice Kaffer, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
BlackburnNews.com file photo of Windsor Regional Hospital's Metropolitan Campus, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
BlackburnNews.com file photo of Windsor Regional Hospital's Metropolitan Campus, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
BlackburnNews.com file photo of Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare President and CEO Janice Kaffer speaks about improvements at the Ouellette campus, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
The proposed mega-hospital site at County Rd. 42 and Ninth Concession Rd., July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
BlackburnNews.com file photo of Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens and Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
The proposed mega-hospital site at County Rd. 42 and Ninth Concession Rd., July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
BlackburnNews.com file photo of Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare President and CEO Janice Kaffer speaks about improvements at the Ouellette campus, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
BlackburnNews.com file photo of Essex County Warden Tom Bain, left, and Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens at site of proposed mega-hospital, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
BlackburnNews.com file photo of Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj at the proposed mega hospital site on County Rd. 42, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
The volunteer site selection committee will be honoured with a plaque in the new mega-hospital after hundreds of hours spent on the project, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare President and CEO Janice Kaffer speaks about improvements at the Ouellette campus, July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Windsor Regional Hospital's Ouellette campus. (Photo by Jason Viau)
The proposed site for the new mega-hospital on County Rd. 42 and Ninth Concession Rd., July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj speaks with the community about the new mega-hospital on County Rd. 42 at Ninth Concession Rd., July 16, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
