ABOYNE — The new Groves Memorial Community Hospital (GMCH) just outside Fergus is almost ready to open.
Stephen Street, GMCH president and CEO, said there isn’t an official opening date but late spring or early summer is expected.
“With the achievement of this major milestone, the hospital will have full access to and control of the building,” Street said in a press release. “During the next few months, the contractor will complete remaining minor construction deficiencies and staff will begin preparing for occupancy.”
The new 152,000 sq. ft. energy efficient facility has been built over the last two and a half years on 30 acres of rural land behind the Wellington County Museum.
The new hospital has doubled the size of the emergency, diagnostic imaging and ambulatory care departments. Parking has also increased to 320 vehicles.
Jill Schitka, VP patient services and chief nursing executive, said in the press release that staff will soon begin orientation and training to familiarize themselves with the new building and the changes in workspace and technology that comes with it.
“Simulations of real-life patient care scenarios will be conducted as a test and practice to see how teams will work in the new environment,” Schitka said in the press release. “We will ensure everything works smoothly for opening to ensure safe delivery of patient care.”
GMCH board chair Jackie Ranahan noted the amount of effort staff put in to make it to this point.
“The Board of Governors wishes to thank everyone involved,” Ranahan said in the press release. “We also wish to acknowledge and thank our community and the generous support to our fundraising efforts to date.”
For more information about the new Groves Hospital please visit: www.newgroves.net.
