September 6th, 2023 – Last week, during their 70th anniversary celebrations, Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) was excited to unveil its first artist rendering for their proposed Campus of Care. The development will be located on County Road 30, just west of the town of Campbellford, on a plot of land donated by local farmer Jim Curle.
The proposed Campus of Care is an ambitious endeavor that aims to provide an array of healthcare services in one location including a redeveloped 50 bed hospital, and a new 128 bed long-term care home. The development will also contain a medical office building designed to house the Community Mental Health Program, the Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network, primary care offices and other ancillary health services. Also included on the site will be supportive and staff housing complexes, recreational trails, community gardens and wooded areas.
CMH President & CEO Jeff Hohenkerk emphasized the transformative impact of the redevelopment project, stating, "This project will usher in a new era of healthcare excellence in our region. By expanding the hospital's capacity, adding more long-term care beds, and offering a comprehensive range of ancillary health services all in one location, we will provide an unprecedented level of care that surpasses what is typically available in communities our size."
Hohenkerk further highlighted the project's potential to attract highly sought-after healthcare professionals. "In a competitive job market, modern and state-of-the-art facilities play a crucial role in attracting healthcare workers, especially new graduates. Our new hospital will be designed to meet the highest standards, offering a cutting-edge environment not seen elsewhere in our region."
CMH, built in 1953, has not undergone any major renovations or expansions since the construction of the Emergency Department wing, completed in 1987. The proposed Campus of Care represents a turning point for the hospital, enabling a substantial improvement in the delivery of care. Patients will benefit from an array of enhancements, including more private rooms, increased accessibility features, medical units optimized for efficient patient flow, and an upgraded electrical grid to accommodate advanced medical equipment.
Detailed planning for the Campus of Care project is already in progress. Following the generous donation of 48 acres of land last October, CMH has been diligently working behind the scenes to address zoning issues, conduct soil testing, study traffic flow, and develop comprehensive program plans. While numerous finer details require attention, the hospital is committed to ensuring a meticulous, transparent, and efficient development process.
Hospital officials acknowledged though that planning for those finer details will take time, noting that once the hospital receives approval from the Provincial Government for their planning grant, it will likely take 3-4 years before construction begins and a further 3-5 years until completion. “Right now our hope is to have our new hospital completed within the next 7-10 years,” commented Board Chair Carrie Hayward, “and we are working every day to ensure those timelines are met.”
CMH invites all interested parties to visit www.cmh.ca/redevelopment for further information on the proposed Campus of Care project. As the project progresses, updates and milestones will be shared with the public to foster transparency and engagement.