New Groves Memorial Community Hospital done and now open to patients

FERGUS, ONT.— The new Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Fergus, Ont. recently celebrated its grand opening.

The Ontario government invested $144.4 million to build the new hospital as part of the province’s commitment to invest $27 billion over 10 years to build new and expanded hospital infrastructure.

To support operations, the province is also providing nearly $11 million more this year, which represents an over 50 per cent increase in operational funding.

The new 158,000-square-foot facility, located on 30 acres of rural land behind the Wellington County Museum near the Wellington Terrace Long-term Care Home, will replace the aging site and serve the Wellington County community.

It is equipped with new and emerging technologies to support the growing community.

The new hospital includes:

Seven new inpatient beds, bringing the total of inpatient beds to 42 for medical, surgical, obstetrics, special care and complex continuing care, with 37 beds in private single patient rooms with a dedicated washroom and shower and large windows, and three additional beds in the coming years;
more space for emergency, ambulatory, diagnostic and inpatient services;
a surgical suite and full range of clinical support services including diagnostic imaging, laboratory and pharmacy departments;
modernized infection control measures, including additional isolation facilities to respond to a potential second wave of COVID-19, flu season or any disease outbreak; and
an onsite helipad to allow fast access for patient transfers by air ambulance.

According to Infrastructure Ontario, the project team consisted of EllisDon Infrastructure GMCH Inc. with the following team members: Developer: EllisDon Capital Inc.; architect: Tillmann Ruth Robinson; engineering teams: The Mitchell Partnership; WalterFedy Partnership; Hastings and Aziz; design-builder: EllisDon Design Build Inc.; financial advisor: EllisDon Capital Inc.

“Increasing hospital beds and building hospital capacity is a key component of our government’s plan to end hallway health care,” said Christine Elliott, deputy premier and minister of health, in a statement.

“With improved infection control measures and expanded isolation facilities, the new Groves Memorial Community Hospital will also support our extensive efforts to prepare for any future waves of COVID-19.”