Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) saw a substantial increase in patient volumes and the acuity of cases treated during the 2023/24 fiscal year underscoring the urgent need for a new, redeveloped hospital. The proposed redevelopment, slated to be part of an Integrated Campus of Care that will also include a new 128 bed Long Term Care Home as well as a number of ancillary health care services, aims to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art medical services, and significantly increased capacity, ensuring that CMH can effectively accommodate the escalating patient load and complexity of care required.
"Over the past year, we have not only seen an increase in patient volumes but also a rise in patient acuity levels," said Heather Campbell, Vice President of Patient Care at CMH. "This means that in addition to increased patient volumes, patients who are admitted are staying in the hospital for longer periods and require more intensive and specialized care. Our current facilities are often stretched to their limits, making the need for a redeveloped hospital more critical than ever." Campbell further explained that during the busy summer months when the population increases with seasonal residents and visitors, as well cold & flu season in the winter, the hospital’s capacity can often reach between 130% - 150%. “This not only puts enormous strain on our staff, but also means admitted patients are waiting in the Emergency Department longer for a bed to become available. We’ve also had to close our day surgery unit during times of surge as we need to use the space for admitted patients.”
The redevelopment project plans to increase the hospital’s capacity to a minimum of 50 acute care beds, up from the 38 the current facility has, as well as an expanded Emergency Department which will be designed to optimize patient flow, allowing physicians to see more patients in a shorter period of time. The new facility will also incorporate the latest medical technologies and design innovations to improve patient care and operational efficiency, and will be designed to provide expanded services to meet the growing needs of the community.
"Our vision for the new Campbellford Memorial Hospital is to create a modern, integrated Campus of Care that addresses not just the current demands but also anticipates future healthcare needs," stated Jeff Hohenkerk, CEO of CMH. "This redevelopment will ensure that we continue to deliver high-quality care to our patients in a facility that supports the best possible outcomes both now and in the future."
The redevelopment project is currently in the planning stages and is still awaiting approval from the Provincial Government. CMH is committed to working closely with government partners, healthcare professionals, and the community to bring this vital project to fruition.
