Brantford, ON – Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) is making steady progress in its plan to build new, modern hospital facilities to meet the growing healthcare needs of the community.
BCHS began master planning for new hospital facilities in 2014, making its first submission to the Ministry of Health. Following subsequent submissions in 2015 and 2017, BCHS submitted a revised Pre-capital stage proposal in January 2020, which the Ministry accepted.
In March 2022, Honourable Premier Doug Ford and former Honourable Minister of Health Christine Elliott announced approval of a $2.5 million capital planning grant to support the early planning stages of hospital redevelopment.
In October 2023, BCHS made its Proposal stage submission and has since engaged in extensive options analysis and consultations with the Ministry. We are still awaiting acceptance of the plan and continue to advocate for an increased planning grant to support the next stage of development.
To further these efforts, BCHS welcomed key government representatives for site visits. In July 2024, Assistant Deputy Minister, Hospitals and Capital, Catherine Wang, visited to discuss the proposed plan and tour the facilities. In October 2024, the Honourable Minister of Health Sylvia Jones also visited the Brantford General site. Additionally, BCHS participated in a delegation with the City of Brantford at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario on August 20 and with the County of Brant at the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association on January 21.
The next step in the process is the Functional Program stage, critical work that involves detailed planning for future hospital services. This stage will determine the number of inpatient beds, the extent of outpatient services, models of care, and the space required for BCHS programs, including Emergency Medicine, Diagnostic Imaging, Surgery, Birthing, Pediatrics, Mental Health and various support services. To advance this important work, BCHS is requesting additional planning funding.
In preparation for the Functional Program stage, which is anticipated to begin in late spring 2025, BCHS is developing a hospital Vision and Guiding Planning Principles that will serve as a roadmap for each stage of the redevelopment journey. To support this effort, we have engaged Stantec Architects to lead the Visioning and Guiding Principles work and assist with planning beyond this stage. We are also ramping up our internal redevelopment office to ensure readiness for this significant milestone.
“We remain committed to building new hospital facilities that will support exceptional care for our community in the future,” said Bonnie Camm, President & CEO of BCHS. “In partnership with the Ministry of Health, we are eager to move forward with Functional Programming and stay on track for government approval to build much-needed new hospital facilities.”
With the support of generous donors, the BCHS Foundation continues to raise funds for the Hospital Redevelopment. To donate, please visit https://www.bchsysfoundation.org/waystogive/.
Background
The ReImagine BCHS Committee is working to align strategies and advocate for government approval of new hospital facilities. This committee includes representation from:
- The Mayors of Brantford and Brant County
- MPP and MP representatives
- Six Nations of the Grand River
- Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
- The Brantford-Brant Chamber of Commerce
- The BCHS Foundation
- BCHS Board of Directors
- BCHS Patient and Family Advisors
- BCHS President & CEO, Chief of Staff, and members of the Senior Leadership Team
BCHS remains dedicated to working with government partners and the community to advance this vital Hospital Redevelopment. For updates and ways to support, visit www.reimaginebchs.ca or www.bchsysfoundation.org.
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Media Contact:
Alena Lukich
Vice President, Strategy, Quality, Risk & Communications