Not even a global pandemic can stop the momentum toward building a new Quinte Health Care (QHC) Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH)!

Over the past year, as COVID‐19 continued to monopolize much of the focus for hospitals, our teams have stayed the course behind the scenes diving into the detailed design work needed for attaining approval for the new hospital build. The work required for Stage 3 of the project is now complete, has been approved by the Quinte Health Care Board of Directors, and will be submitted to the Ministry of Health this week.

“The new PECMH will respond to the needs and values of the community, ensuring care close to home for residents of Prince Edward County for generations to come,” explained Stacey Daub, President and CEO, Quinte Health Care. “The new PECMH will play a vital role regionally as part of QHC’s integrated system of four hospitals and also locally, where health care providers are working together to build and develop new models of care to serve their community. Working together means safe, quality patient care for residents across our region and within PECMH’s community.”

Daub expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of the Prince Edward County community, and for the tremendous partnership with the PECMH Foundation, PEC Family Health Team, PECMH Auxiliary, PEC municipal partners, MPP Todd Smith and the Ontario Government.

“Building a new hospital is definitely a marathon, and not a sprint – taking many years of work and planning leading up to construction,” stated Daub. “The support for this project has been relentless and has been the fuel needed to move us forward to this exciting stage.”

The attached image shows the five stage planning process required for Capital Developments in Ontario. QHC is working closely on the redevelopment project with the Ministry of Health and Infrastructure Ontario (IO).

The PECMH Foundation continues its vital fundraising efforts to raise the community share of this new leading edge hospital.

“Our small but mighty community of Prince Edward County has proven that when we believe in something and value it highly, we will move mountains to make it happen,” commented Barbara McConnell, Chairperson, PECMH Foundation.

“Today, we are another step closer to seeing a great new hospital in the County. On behalf of the PECMH Foundation Board and staff, our hundreds of donors, and the entire community, thank you to the planning partners and the QHC Board for your dedication to moving the build through the planning process. We are grateful for all the support to Back the Build that we have received from so many.”

QHC anticipates that the Ministry review process will take a few months, with an approval anticipated by late spring, so work on Stage 4 approval requirements can begin.

“If there was ever a time to show support for your new County hospital, it’s now as we take yet another step closer to shovels in the ground,” concluded Daub. “Please Back the Build!”

Background:

In 2014, local health care partners committed to working collaboratively toward building a new hospital in Prince Edward County. QHC PECMH redevelopment planning partners are Quinte Health Care, Prince Edward Family Health Team, Municipality of Prince Edward County, Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.



The new Quinte Health Care Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital will be designed to fully align with current codes and the latest infection control standards. The building will total approximately 96,000 square feet and be laid out on two levels. The layout includes key departments such as the emergency department, ambulatory clinics and the inpatient unit co‐located on the first floor. The second floor includes dialysis, administration and mechanical services spaces.