Building Code Upgrades and Fire Related Repairs Cause Lakeridge Health Whitby to Remain Closed Until Late October - August 22, 2007
Extended Timelines Force Lakeridge Health lease of temporary unit at Rouge Valley Health System to accommodate expected patient increases in Fall
(Oshawa) On July 2nd 2007 Lakeridge Health Whitby (LHW) had an electrical fire resulting in the evacuation of all 71 patients to other Lakeridge Health (LH) sites and the temporary suspension of the site’s inpatient and outpatient hospital operations.
While the damage assessment of LHW is ongoing, it is anticipated that fire related costs could reach approximately $8 million. “Lakeridge Health Whitby is a sizeable hospital site covering 94,000 square feet. The scope of the restoration is immense. Imagine restoring the equivalent of almost 50 homes after a fire and ensuring the exceptionally high fire, building and infection control standards demanded of hospitals”, said Neil Clarke, Director of Facilities for Lakeridge Health.
Traditionally, Ontario hospitals experience a slow down in elective care during the summer, followed by a significant increase in September and into the Fall. Chris Kooy, VP Clinical Programs and Chief Nursing Executive, announced today that in order to deal with the impending increase in service demands and bed pressures and the possibility of further surgery cancellations, LH is leasing a 21 bed unit at Central East LHIN partner, Rouge Valley Centenary (Scarborough) until LHW is back in operation. “With the extended timelines now moving into the fall we have no other choice but to invoke our contingency plan,” she said. “We have a duty to our communities to ensure our hospitals have the capacity to provide care that has been scheduled in advance and to deal with emergencies,” she added. The leased unit will be a satellite site of Lakeridge Health - run and staffed by LH using LH policies and procedures.
“While we are always reluctant to relocate patients, we also realize that with the extended timelines it is our only option to ensure all Lakeridge Health patients are receiving the best, most appropriate level of care possible,” Chris explained.
The move to the Rouge Valley site will be undertaken by Lakeridge Health staff and Durham Emergency Medical Services, and begins on Wednesday, August 22. To ensure that only appropriate patients are relocated, LH physicians and staff thoroughly reviewed the patient’s history and care needs. Initially, approximately 13 patients will be transferred. Those determined unable to move will remain in a clustered unit at Lakeridge Health Oshawa and another 36 LHW beds will remain in clustered units at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville until LHW re-opens.
Lakeridge Health will operate shuttles from LHW to the Rouge Valley site for staff and to facilitate family visitation - please check the website at www.lakeridgehealth.on.ca for further information. A welcome event and tour has been planned for family members.
Click here for Backgrounder.pdf
Click here for Family/Visitor Shuttle Bus Card.pdf
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For further information please contact:
Leigh Winn-Kruck
905-576-8711 ext. 4317