MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South David Piccini, along with officials at Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) have announced Thursday that the province is providing more than $13 million for infrastructure improvements to the hospital.
This investment is said to help the hospital significantly through upgrades to their HVAC system, replacing their aging generator and continuing with facility improvements designed to mitigate COVID-19 transmission.
HVAC work includes replacing air handling units, improving ductwork, air filtration and ventilation systems, as well as upgrading the air distribution system and installing an automated building control system. These upgrades will reportedly reduce CMH's yearly natural gas consumption by 10,000 cubic metres, and lower its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 19 tons annually.
"As we make progress on securing a new hospital in Campbellford, it is vital that we ensure those in our community receive safe, high quality medical care," said MPP Piccini. "This critical infrastructure investment will ensure that patients at Campbellford Memorial continue to receive the right care they need, when they need it."
These investments mark a series of improvements that CMH has undertaken over the past 12 months, including the installation of a new nurse call system, renovations in the kitchen and cafeteria and the purchase of new state of the art diagnostic equipment such as a bladder scanner and digital slit lamp.
CMH has also earned "Accredited with Exemplary Standing" status from Accreditation Canada following their accreditation review last month. Accreditation Canada is an independent, not-for-profit organization that conducts reviews of health organizations around the world and sets standards for safety and quality in healthcare. Accreditation for Exemplary standing is awarded to an organization that attains the highest level of performance, achieving excellence in meeting the requirements of the program.
"This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team and confirmation that we have appropriate procedures and plans in place to provide high-quality care to our community," stated CMH CEO Eric Hanna. “(The) investment will allow us to purchase a new, state of the art generator, as well as upgrade our emergency power distribution, to ensure that when the power goes out; our ability to provide high quality patient care is not impeded.”
The funding is to be broken down as follows: $9,639,900 will go towards CMH as one-time capital funding to address the HVAC and generator, $1,874,929 for reimbursement of CMH's COVID-19 related capital expenses, $771,797 in COVID-19 incremental operating funding, up to $600,000 in one-time funding to support the hospital's in-year financial and operating pressures, $163,600 in pandemic prevention and containment funding, $81,132 through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and $46,884 in health human resources funding.
For more information on the Campbellford Memorial Hospital and this investment, visit the website.