BCHS President asks County to consider Development Fund for ongoing redevelopment of BGH and Willett

By Casandra Turnbull

The President of the Brant Community Health Care System is asking for the County’s support in creating a redevelopment fund to financially contribute its share towards massive expansion plans for the Brantford General Hospital & Willett Urgent Care Centre over the next 10 years

Dr. David McNeil’s presentation to the Policy Development & Strategic Direction Committee not only asked for the creation of a contingency fund, but also to highlight how imperative community support will be as the local healthcare system undergoes some radical, but necessary, changes.

“This is a community project, and this is for the better of our community, but we can’t do this as a hospital alone,” said McNeil, following his presentation that outlined the redevelopment plans approved by the Ministry of Health last spring. Initial costs for upgrades to the emergency room department, including the expansion of the Branford General Hospital and expanded services at the Willett, were pegged at $1.3 billion.

“Based on recent population projections, updated since we made that submission (to the province) in 2020, we are now a 500-bed facility and $1.3 billion is different today,” said McNeil, who noted the cost is expected to jump significantly. The updated price tag for this healthcare expansion will be announced in June 2023, said McNeil.

Stage 1, which includes extensive planning, will be submitted to the province this year This project is expected to span 10-15 years, said McNeil when questioned by Paris Councillor John Bell. While you won’t be stepping into a brand new facility anytime soon, changes are already underway, he said Part of stage 1 includes the $25 million (initial projection, expected to change) redevelopment of the emergency department in Brantford, along with a new dialysis unit at the Willett in Paris. Tender for the emergency room renovations will go out inApril.

Rendering of the new Brantford General Hospital, although once completed, the new site will look very different than this rendering, according to BCHS President Dr. David McNeil. Below is a foot plan of what will remain, what will be demolished and what will be rebuilt.

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McNeil called the Willett an integral part of the overall redevelopment plans and said they have and will continue to invest significantly into the Paris site. Aside from the Urgent Care Centre, the cornerstone of the facility, which is expected to see 28,000 visitors this year, there are also 52 inpatient beds there for a variety of health care needs.

McNeil reiterated that community support will be vital to the success of the long-term project. Part of the stipulation of health funding from the province outlines the need for the community to fundraise 10% of the project. Based on initial figures, that would equate to $130 million from the County of Brant and the City of Brantford combined.

Paris Councillor John Peirce asked, “Do you feel confident knowing that we have community support that the Ministry of Health is going to step up because they’ve got to understand we need a hospital here. Would you say they are confident they are behind this project?”

McNeil was confident in his response that the support is firmly in place from the province.

“The Brant Community Healthcare System is listed on Infrastructure Ontario’s website as a project that they are keeping an eye on, which provides me with a degree of reassurance…. despite the evident need for a hospital, the fact that it’s on the list is a pretty sure thing the hospital will be done.”

Paris Councillor Steve Howes wanted to know how BCHS plans to demolish one third of the hospital, part of the redevelopment plans, and keep functioning as the hospital is bursting at the seems in its current state.

“We have a complex transitional plan. We will phase construction in such a way that we maintain the operations of the hospital and continue to progress its redevelopment ”

Councillor Robert Chambers presented a motion, supported by

County staff, which stated, that the County will establish a reserve fund for the purpose of funding its local contribution and the motion also stated that County staff will create a report on the reserve fund to be presented to council later this year. The motion was moved by Chambers and seconded by Mayor David Bailey. Everyone voted in favour of the motion and it was carried without further discussion. “I live in the western part of the county and I can recall the community of Woodstock underwent a project like this several years ago,” said Chambers. “I can recall when they started the idea it seemed unattainable and as time went on the community got behind it. Now they have a beautiful hospital. There is hope for our community to do the same and I have no doubt it’s going to be achieved.”

Once completely renovated, the Willett’s main floor will house the Urgent Care Centre, diagnostic imaging, renal home training clinic rooms, dialysis satellite centre and 20 residential beds. The upper level will house the chronic disease management clinics, and 32 residential beds (existing). The lower level will include staff and clinical education rooms, ambulatory care classes, activity area for residents, staging and kitchen for resident meals and program offices/staff support.