Brant Community Healthcare System launches process to find site for new hospital

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The Brant Community Healthcare System board of directors has officially launched a site identification process for a new hospital. 

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An independent task force comprised of Brantford-Brant community members, along with representatives from Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation will lead the process and make a recommendation to the board next spring. 

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“This marks an exciting milestone in the redevelopment of our health system. I want to thank the members of the Task Force for lending their time, insight, and expertise to help lead this critical process on behalf of the community,” Bonnie Camm, President and CEO, Brant Community Healthcare System, said in a news release. 

“This process is about more than identifying a parcel of land. It’s about shaping the future of care in Brantford and Brant County for generations to come.” 

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The task force will be responsible for leading the site identification process, including community consultation on what’s important to consider when identifying a location for a new hospital. 

The task force will use this input to finalize evaluation criteria for land proposals submitted, undertake a formal call for land, and evaluate the site proposals brought forward.   

The task force will be chaired by Don Shilton, the retired President of St. Mary’s General Hospital and a long-time Brantford resident.  

Other members include: Amos Key Jr., a member of Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council; Alison Newton, chief administrative officer for County of Brant; Jodi Rock, Indigenous Health Liaison for Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation; and Nicole Wilmot, Chief Planner, Senior Director of Planning and Development for the City of Brantford.   

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To support the fairness and transparency of the process, an independent fairness advisor has also been appointed to support the task force in their work.   

Everyone is encouraged to share their perspectives as part of the site identification process, so a location is identified that best reflects the community’s needs, said the release. Information will be shared in the fall about how to participate in the task force’s consultation activities. Questions and comments can be shared with reimagine.bchs@bchsys.org   

Camm said last month all options are on the table for a new hospital, including building on a greenfield site. 

“I want to make it very clear that we are keeping all options open,” said Camm. “This next phase (of planning) is an opportunity to cast the net wide on potential locations before we start on the path of detailed design. What everyone should understand is that the choosing of a new site will be an open, collaborative and transparent process.” 

Camm made the comments during a visit to the hospital by Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones. The minister formally announced an additional $12.5 million to support the planning and construction of a new hospital.  

Jones said it’s too early to put a timeline on the project because a lot of planning remains to be done. It has been earlier suggested by healthcare system officials that a new hospital is at least eight to 10 years away and will likely cost in excess of $1 billion. 

With files from Vincent Ball

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