The new hospital in Markdale will open its emergency department doors to patients at 6 a.m. on Sept. 24.
Since the 1990s local residents and politicians have been working toward a new hospital build in Markdale and the new facility will finally be fully operational later this month.
According to a news release from the hospital group Brightshores Health System (formerly Grey Bruce Health Services), there will also be limited access to the lobby and some of the hospital during an open come-and-go reception at the new hospital on Sept. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time for our organization, the Markdale Community, and all Grey Bruce residents,” said Brightshores Health System president and CEO Gary Sims in a news release. “With the opening of this new state-of-the-art facility, with updated equipment and the space to grow to meet the needs of this growing community, the future is very bright for local healthcare.”
The new hospital, located at 220 Toronto Street South in Markdale will be receiving patients from the old hospital location on Sept. 24. Once the transfers are complete, the former Markdale Hospital will close. The Pennywise thrift store located adjacent to the current hospital facility will continue to operate at the same location until the future ownership of the hospital is determined, states the news release.
“Congratulations to the entire Markdale Community, Foundations, staff and all stakeholders who have reached this tremendous milestone,” said Brightshores Health System Board Chair, Jo Flewwelling. “The new Markdale facility positions the community for access to care now and into the foreseeable future.”
The new 68,000 square foot hospital includes: seven beds, 24/7 emergency room, three exam rooms and a treatment room, a palliative care room, physiotherapy, procedures room (i.e. endoscopy, colonoscopy), diagnostic imaging (x-ray, ultrasound), ambulatory care (out-patient clinics – memory clinic, mental health, diabetes, etc.), laboratory, café, spiritual care, Centre Grey Hospital Foundation office and undesignated flex space on the ground floor for future expansion.