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Thu Jul 23, 2009
Vaughan Health Campus of Care Announces Purchase of land for Future Hospital
Vaughan– July 23, 2009 – The Vaughan Health Campus of Care (VHCC) announced today that it has finalized an agreement for the purchase of 87 acres of land to be the future location of Vaughan’s first hospital.
The need for a new hospital in Vaughan has been well documented. As the largest community in Canada without a hospital within city boundaries, population growth and demographic changes demand a new hospital to open as quickly as possible.
The centrally located site, on the north side of Major Mackenzie Drive, between Highway 400 and Jane Street, is an optimal location and was identified as the top site in a site selection process undertaken by the VHCC. The location has prominent access to major thoroughfares and highways in Vaughan and will provide convenient access for existing and future Vaughan residents. Research has shown that this will dramatically improve the delivery of health care in the community, by bringing hospital services closer to home and reducing wait times.
“Securing this site is a critical step in making the Vaughan Hospital a reality. It will enable us to continue planning for the Vaughan Hospital and Campus of Care without delay, ensuring that hospital services will be expanded into our community, as soon as possible.” said Michael DeGasperis, Chair of the Vaughan Health Campus of Care and the Vaughan Health Care Foundation. “With a site in hand, we are well positioned to continue our work,” added DeGasperis. “We are committed to making the Vaughan Hospital a reality in the very near future.”
In October 2008, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the Honourable David Caplan, directed the Central Local Health Integration Network to proceed with the Master Program for the Vaughan Hospital Services. Working in conjunction with the VHCC, the Master Program will identify the program and service levels for the new hospital. A site is required for the next phase of development, Master Planning. The Master Plan will identify the potential layout for the facility, design, and full cost of development.
“This acquisition could not have been possible without the solid and unanimous support of Vaughan Council, City Staff and the community at large, who have recently made a significant financial commitment to support the acquisition of land and hospital development,” said DeGasperis. “As community support for a hospital in Vaughan increases so does the momentum of the project, bringing us to our goal that much quicker.”
In June 2009, the City of Vaughan Council approved an $80 million financial contribution to support hospital development activities, including the acquisition of a site for the future hospital. The Government of Ontario provides hospital capital funding support for 90% of construction costs. As is the case in other cities, the local community is responsible for 100% of purchasing land and funding furniture, fixture and equipment costs.
“I would like to thank everyone for their commitment and tenacity thus far to help achieve this great accomplishment for the benefit of the entire community of Vaughan and York Region.” said DeGasperis.
For further information contact:
Anastasia Vogt
Administrator
Vaughan Health Care Foundation
Vaughan Health Campus of Care
(905) 303-1998
avogt@vaughanhealthcare.com
www.vaughanhealthcare.com
About the Vaughan Health Campus of Care:
The Vaughan Health Campus of Care is a not-for-profit organization established to ensure that new health services in the Vaughan community are coordinated, aimed at a common vision of integration, innovation and excellence in health services delivery and patient care. Responsible for the strategic establishment and coordination of health care services to serve the needs of the Vaughan community, the Vaughan Health Campus of Care is working with Government to secure approvals for additional health services, including a hospital to support its vision.
About the Vaughan Health Care Foundation
In January 2003, a task force of community and civic leaders was struck to assess how best to bring additional health care resources to the community of Vaughan. This Task Force then formed The Vaughan Health Care Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity, in early 2004. Since its inception, the Foundation has been working tirelessly towards its mission – to engage the community and to raise funds to support the establishment of health care facilities and services, including a hospital, for the City of Vaughan.
