Zoning Approved!

Aug 14, 2018 | News & Updates

Another step forward for the Windsor-Essex Hospitals System

Patients in Windsor-Essex are a step closer to the state-of-the-art, modern healthcare they deserve. Last night, Windsor City Council and the Planning Heritage and Economic Development Standing Committee voted to approve the hospital's zoning applications. Thanks to all who added a voice to the discussion and thanks to City Council and the Standing Committee for your leadership and support.

The joint public meeting was to determine how the area around the new hospital will develop over the next 30 years and beyond, and how the new hospital can be accommodated on the selected site. During the meeting City Planner and Executive Director, Thom Hunt said the plan meets provincial and municipal requirements and "makes good planning sense".

In making their decision, many Councillors commented on the significance of the vote and what it will mean for healthcare.

"Tonight is big step forward for better healthcare for everyone in Windsor-Essex," said Mayor Drew Dilkens. "We're talking about a regional hospital, or no hospital at all. I want a $2 billion investment in my community. I think people deserve better healthcare."

This is another important milestone in the region's journey toward a new world class hospitals system for Windsor-Essex.

MAJOR MILESTONES TO DATE:

Nov. 2012 - Task force recommends moving forward with a new single-site acute care hospital for Windsor-Essex.

Oct. 2013 - Historic Realignment of Hospital Services.

July 2015 - Volunteer Site Selection Subcommittee recommends site for new hospital

July 2015 - Windsor-Essex Hospitals System plan announced

April 2016 - City and County Councils approve levy to cover local share of the project

Nov. 2017 - Infrastructure Ontario appointed to lead the procurement process for construction of the new hospital. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) scheduled to be issued in 2021, subject to change.

Dec. 2017 - Minister of Health and Long-Term Care commits to moving the project to Stage 2

Aug. 2018 - Zoning applications approved by Windsor City Council.

NEXT STEPS:

Opponents to the plan have indicated they are planning an appeal.

"We are expecting and prepared for that and hopefully that moves along quickly," says David Musyj, President and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital and Co-Chair of Steering Committee overseeing plans for the new Windsor-Essex Hospitals System.

"I think it is going to be very difficult on any grounds of appeal though. It is a very solid plan, in the best interest of the city, with conservative projections with respect to numbers. I expect the appeal will be quick and we can go ahead and close on the property."

In the meantime, Windsor Regional Hospital and the Steering Committee overseeing plans for the Windsor Essex Hospitals System will continue to work with the Erie St. Clair LHIN and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) on details of a plan that will best meet the need of patients in the region.

THE NEW WINDSOR-ESSEX HOSPITALS SYSTEM WILL:

Offer patient and family-centred care. The acute care hospital will be designed to accommodate individual patient needs with larger rooms offering more privacy for patients, better accommodations for families and a safer’ less institutional environment.

Improve patient safety and privacy. At least 80% of the rooms in a new hospital will be private. This will help prevent the spread of infection and increase patient privacy.

Help retain and recruit top healthcare professionals. Modern infrastructure will give employees the right tools and facilities they need to enhance patient care. A strengthened focus on education and research will increase collaboration and opportunities for clinical trials.

Include an Urgent Care Centre in the City's core. To treat semi-urgent and non-urgent patients. For more information on what EMERGENCY CARE EXPERTS are saying about the plan for a UCC, check out this blog from our archives: REDEFINING THE FUTURE OF EMERGENCY CARE.

NOT result in the removal of all healthcare services from the city's core. The current plan calls for a number of services to be offered in the core including a satellite Emergency (Urgent Care), outpatient mental health, chronic pain management and dialysis.

NOT result in a reduction of beds. The current plan is to have the same number of beds that currently exist, with the capacity to expand if needed.

NOT result in the closure of Erie Shores Healthcare, in Leamington. That hospital is an integral part of hospital services in the region and the CEO from Erie Shores Healthcare has been part of the planning process with representation on the Steering Committee for the new Windsor-Essex Hospitals System.

Improve communication between patients, staff and the system. Smart technologies and an efficient design will remove current communication barriers and free up more time for staff to spend providing direct patient care.