October 17, 2022 - Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) was joined by provincial and municipal politicians, OMNI Health Care and other key stakeholders to formally announce the proposed location for the future Campus of Care that will bring together a new CMH, a long-term care home, community mental health programs, and other community healthcare services.
The Campbellford Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, in consultation with OMNI Health Care, led a review process with prospective landowners, municipal and county partners and members of the public. The process was guided by a set criteria including that the land be donated, total more than 40 acres and provide ease of access (e.g. on a County Road). This led to the formal agreement with local landowner Jim Curle to donate 48 acres on County Road 30 just outside the current Campbellford boundary.
“Jim Curle’s transformative donation marks the Foundation’s most significant gift to date,” said Martha Hunt, Board Chair, CMH Foundation. “Our Board extends our gratitude for this magnanimous gift that will be integral in building exceptional health care in our community.”
“Our government remains committed to ensuring that residents have access to the healthcare services they need through Campbellford Memorial Hospital,” said David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland—Peterborough South. “I will keep working alongside our partners to strengthen health care in our community, and I want to sincerely thank everyone involved in securing this donation.”
The Hospital has applied for a capital-planning grant to fund the planning associated with the redevelopment of the facility as part of a campus of care that would create one location for a continuum of health services for residents. CMH’s application for a capital-planning grant to build a campus of care is pending approval from the Minister of Health.
“This donation enhances our readiness to proceed in the capital planning process and it is a historic step in the redevelopment of Campbellford’s hospital as part of a Campus of Care,” said Kevin Huestis, Chair, Board of Directors, CMH. “We are honoured to be OMNI’s first partner in this shared mission of creating a Campus of Care, and our Board remains committed to advocating for timely approval to move to the next step of redevelopment.”
With portions of CMH nearly 70 years old, CMH is currently facing more than $25 million in facility repairs and replacements that will be needed over the next 25 years (and this amount is expected to grow).
Eric Hanna, Interim President and CEO, CMH stated: “Our current Hospital is aging and has had minimal upgrades over the decades. Our team’s full understanding of the facility’s infrastructure limitations and deficiencies further reinforces our urgent goal of building a new hospital as part of a Campus of Care. While we advocate and move towards redevelopment, we must provide patients, staff and physicians with a safe, comfortable environment in the short term, and this is why we have partnered with the provincial government to make timely, necessary upgrades to the current building.”
Community members can help support the approval of a new Campbellford Memorial Hospital by writing or calling their local MPP or Minister of Health and/or sharing on social media what #mynewCMH would mean to them.
Additional Quotes:
“On behalf of OMNI Health Care, we thank Jim Curle for his generous donation of this large property that will be transformed into the new Campbellford Memorial Hospital Campus of Care. OMNI is excited about the opportunity to build a long-term care home on the CMH Campus which will be an optimal location for residents to age within their community while accessing a continuum of health services nearby.”
Raheem Hirji, President and CEO – Omni Health
“On behalf of the government of Ontario I am pleased to help announce this new Campus of Care for Campbellford hospital. I appreciate the Board and CEO for keeping us up to date on the developments so far, and am encouraged to see this project moving forward. I look forward to seeing the progress and what Campbellford Hospital will be in the future.”
Ric Bresee, MPP Hastings – Lennox & Addington
“We need to build capacity in modern health-care facilities that meet the needs of our growing and aging population. Campus of care models serve patients and their families by centralizing these services in one convenient location. I applaud the Campbellford Memorial Hospital for planning proactively and securing a great site, provided through Mr. Curle’s generosity. Once approved, a new hospital on these lands will contribute to improved care across our region.”
Hon. Todd Smith, MPP Bay of Quinte