New emergency department at Petrolia hospital breaks ground

The Ontario government has officially broken ground on Bluewater Health’s Rural Health Capital Improvement Project at Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital (CEEH) in Petrolia.

Supported by a provincial investment of more than $17 million, the project will renovate over 8,200 square feet of existing space.

Bluewater Health has awarded a $14-million construction contract to K&L Construction Ltd. for the redevelopment of the Emergency Department and Diagnostic Imaging areas at Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital (CEEH) of Bluewater Health.

Construction will take approximately 36 to 42 months to complete. The work will be completed in six multi-faceted phases to allow the hospital and Emergency Department to remain open throughout construction.

“This redevelopment will modernize our emergency and diagnostic imaging departments, creating a more welcoming, functional environment for patients, families, and staff. Together with our government, municipal, and community partners, we are investing in the future of health care in Petrolia and Central Lambton for generations to come,” said Paula Reaume-Zimmer, president and CEO, Bluewater Health.

The renovations will help Bluewater Health to continue delivering high-quality care to approximately 131,000 residents across the region.

Once completed, the renovated hospital will include upgrades to the following departments and services:

• Improvements to the emergency department, including improved triage space, a dedicated waiting area, renovated exam rooms, a new airborne isolation room and a new ambulance entrance
• Upgrades to the diagnostic imaging department, including the x-ray area and associated rooms
• Infrastructure upgrades to improve ageing equipment, including an air handling unit

“Today’s groundbreaking is an exciting moment for our community and an important investment in the future of rural health care,” said Bob Bailey, MPP for Sarnia-Lambton.

Featured image: (Government of Ontario)