Efforts Underway for a New Hospital in Brantford Enter Crucial Stage

Photo by BCHS – Bonnie Camm, president and CEO of the Brant Community Healthcare System,

and Paul Emerson,

chair of

the redevelopment and properties committee of the

Brant Community Healthcare System Board

By Chris Whelan

Efforts to secure the construction of a new hospital in Brantford have reached a pivotal juncture, with community-wide support being deemed essential, as highlighted by Paul Emerson.

Emerson, the former Brant County CAO and past chair of the Brant Community Healthcare System board of directors, emphasized the significance of unified backing for the project.

"The team at the Brant Community Healthcare System has presented compelling options for the provincial government's consideration," stated Emerson "With unwavering support from elected representatives, it is now imperative for the broader community to rally behind this cause."

Highlighting the urgent need for a cohesive approach, Emerson stressed the importance of clarity and unity in advocating for the new hospital.

Acknowledging the prolonged discussions spanning over two decades regarding the necessity of a new hospital, Emerson underscored the critical infrastructure challenges faced, including issues such as the sinkhole in the utility tunnel and recurrent boiler breakdowns.

Emerson, currently chairing the healthcare system’s redevelopment and properties committee, shed light on the extensive groundwork laid for the new hospital project and emphasized the indispensable role of community endorsement

The momentum for the new hospital surged following a visit by Premier Doug Ford to the Brantford General Hospital, where he announced a significant allocation of $2.5 million to propel the project's advancement in the planning phase.

Contrary to initial assumptions regarding the hospital's location near Highway 403, the province has directed the healthcare system to leverage the existing infrastructure to the maximum feasible extent

However, given the limitations in repurposing the current infrastructure for the new hospital, healthcare officials have meticulously crafted multiple proposals, subsequently submitted for review by the health ministry in earlyAugust.

Proposals outline the relocation of the new hospital to the present parking lot site on Terrace Hill Street, directly opposite the existing facility, a strategic move anticipated to streamline the construction process. The primary objective now is to secure the inclusion of the new hospital plan in the province's 2025 budget slated for the upcoming spring, a milestone deemed pivotal by healthcare officials.

Community endorsement stands as a critical pillar in the endeavor, prompting healthcare system officials and the board to engage with local leaders from Brantford, Brant County, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations, and Six Nations of the Grand River Territory to bolster advocacy efforts.

Bonnie Camm, the healthcare system's president and CEO, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from health ministry officials throughout the planning phase, emphasizing the ongoing planning efforts amid the existing structure's challenges.

Emphasizing the unique predicament faced by Brantford, Camm and Emerson highlighted the pressing need for a new hospital, substantiated by both the deteriorating state of the current infrastructure and the anticipated community growth projections.

Camm cited a Ministry of Finance report projecting a substantial 36% community growth over the next two decades, underscoring the urgent requirement for a new hospital to address the impending demands and infrastructural deficiencies.