Less than 24 hours later, the grins on the faces of those who had worked so hard over the last few years have not gone anywhere. I know that I have not lost the feeling of excitement at yesterdays announcement at Milton District Hospital by Health Minister Deb Matthews of the approval of the expansion of MDH.
You dont see standing ovations and tears at government announcements but this was different. The doctors and nurses and staff and volunteers at MDH have waited for this for a very long time. Tears of joy streamed from many faces after Minister Matthews said that we got the green light. She credited our persistence in this and asked that we change our motto to “Never Take No For An Answer”. The hard work begins at many levels. From John Oliver and Allan Halls from Halton Healthcare Services, to the LHIN all the way down to our Town Council, decisions have to be made and believe me, we are working on it as we speak. Town Staff are going to be working many long hours coming up with options for the funding of our local portion. I can assure you that I want to hear from you, the residents of Milton on YOUR ideas as well. This hospital is for our community and we need to hear from you.
I have received dozens of emails from people wondering about the details of the announcement and MDHF through their website have released details of the announcement, which you will find below.
Thank you to everyone in Milton who made this possible. It was a long time coming and its finally here. Green light is ON and we will now begin the process to move forward and get the job done.
http://www.mdhf.ca/images/stories/PDF/Press_Releases/Announcement_Highlights_FINAL.pdf
MILTON DISTRICT HOSPITAL EXPANSION
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
The expansion at the hospital will include 320,000 sq.ft. of new construction and 3,700 sq.ft. of renovations to existing space. At a current size of approximately 125,000 sq.ft., this expansion will more than double the size of the hospital.
Clinical departments in the new space will include:
- Emergency
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Maternal Childcare
- Medical/Surgical Inpatient Units
- Intensive Care Unit
- Surgical Department
Clinical Support departments in the new space will include:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Device Reprocessing
- Materials Management
- Information Systems
- Clinical Information Systems
- Facilities Maintenance
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Emergency Department
Entirely new space will be sized to accommodate 45,500 visits per year. The current department has capacity to handle approximately 30,000 visits. The new space will more than triple the size of the current department.
Diagnostic Imaging
The plan includes the addition of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine and Nuclear Medicine Services. The expansion will more than triple the size of the hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging Department.
Maternal Childcare
The new department will have increased capacity from eight to 17 post‐partum beds and associated birthing facilities. The new space will include a dedicated C‐section suite. Today, C‐sections are performed in the hospital’s Surgical Department.
Medical/Surgical Inpatient Units
New space will accommodate two, 36‐bed units with capacity for 72 patients. Eighty percent single patient rooms will enhance infection prevention and control and provide increased patient privacy and comfort. The expanded units will more than double capacity in the department.
Intensive Care Unit
The ICU will see an increase in capacity from six beds to 10 beds. The new, appropriately sized, unit will consist of modern facilities to support contemporary practices.
Surgical Department
Expanded operating suites and a Post‐Aneasthetic Care Unit will accommodate 8,400 surgical procedures annually. This represents an increase of 70% over the department’s current capacity.
CURRENT HOSPITAL
Existing facilities, including space made available from relocating services into the new construction, will be utilized to accommodate the needs of a number of clinical and clinical support departments including:
- Complex Continuing Care
- Medical Daycare and Cancer Clinic
- Outpatient Mental Health Services
- Outpatient Rehabilitation Services
- Laboratory
- Cardio‐Respiratory Services
- Food Services
- Environmental Services
- Chronic Disease Management
- Administration, Volunteer Services, Foundation
BENEFITS TO OUR COMMUNITY
- State‐of‐the‐art hospital facilities developed in the new space providing additional capacity to meet the needs of our rapidly growing community,
- New and enhanced programs and services including additional diagnostic capabilities and new ambulatory services such as chemotherapy treatment and mental health services,
- Contemporary design to support enhanced infection prevention and control to reduce the spread of infection,
- A healing environment focused on patient‐centred care including improved amenities to support family involvement,
- Clearly marked traffic routes will separate emergency vehicles, hospital staff, public transit and the general public,
- Simple internal and external way‐finding will allow for accessible and convenient movement,
- Facilities built to current and anticipated design standards.
