Joyce Savoline - Your Burlington MPP

I recently met with officials at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital to discuss the progress of the hospital’s redevelopment project.  The hospital is currently seeking approval from the government for its proposed expansion and redevelopment project at a cost of just over $300 million for the first phase.

Jo Brant has not had a major change to its physical footprint since 1970, which has left the hospital facing challenges on a daily basis.  Regardless of the hurdles that Jo Brant staff has to overcome each and everyday I am beyond impressed by the superior care that the outstanding staff continuously provides.  I also wanted to extend my gratitude to Eric Vandewall, the hospital’s President and CEO and Dr. Prodger, Chief of Surgery, for the time they spent updating me on the hospital’s challenges.

The long and drawn out approvals process has left hospital staff and Burlington residents facing daily challenges.  Burlington’s fundraising efforts were recently given a shot in the arm with City Council’s approval of a generous contribution of $60 million, which drastically reduced the overall community fundraising goal of $120 million.

Residents of Burlington have been patient, but there is a definite restlessness growing in the community for the long awaited approval.  Now more than ever, Jo Brant needs a commitment from the McGuinty government to address the needs of our growing, aging community.  Burlington has a disproportionate aging population, with the number of seniors at 15.4%, which is significantly higher than the national average of 13.4%.  In addition, the long lists at long-term care facilities are yet another burden faced by our community.

If approved, the first phase of the redevelopment will include: the construction of a six floor tower, additional acute care beds, new operating rooms, a new Intensive Care Unit, an expanded Cancer Clinic, increased capacity for Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory areas, additional private patient rooms, improvements to ambulatory care programs and additional parking.

Through all these times of funding challenges and outbreaks, the staff has never lost their focus on providing exceptional patient care.  Regardless of which part of the hospital I visited, it was more than clear that there was immense loyalty, dedication and pride.  It is high time the government reward the longstanding dedication that Jo Brant has provided to their patients.  Burlington’s expectation is that the government will make a decision to move us into the next stage of approval this spring.