BRAMPTON, ON, July 31, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dignitaries, health care and business leaders, donors and members of the community joined William Osler Health System staff, physicians and volunteers yesterday to celebrate a momentous milestone – the "topping off'' – in the construction of the new Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness.
The celebration was held on the new Peel Memorial site. During the event, Brampton businessman Sajjad Ebrahim and his family announced a gift of $2.5 million to Osler Foundation, the single largest donation from a family in support of the new Peel Memorial to date.
"Topping off" is a milestone widely recognized in the construction industry and signifies the building reaching its highest point and completion of the building's structure with the last pour of concrete on the roof.
"Celebrating the highest point of construction of the Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness means we are one step closer to completing this project. Once finished, the new centre will help ensure hospital services keep pace with population growth," said Hon. Dipika Damerla, Associate Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, who attended the celebration at the Peel Memorial site.
Osler is currently on track to complete the building in the fall of 2016. Following a period of equipment installation, training and orientation, the new facility will be fully operational in early 2017.
"I am really pleased today to see that a new state-of-the-art Peel Memorial is taking shape and will soon be serving the people of Brampton, said Vic Dhillon, MPP Brampton West. "Investing in healthcare, education and the economy are top priorities for people of Brampton and the Government of Ontario. Today is a great day for Brampton."
The new Peel Memorial will provide a range of specialities, clinics, day programs and services – including high-tech diagnostics, surgery and women's and children's health. Space will also be created for education classrooms where patients and family members can learn from health professionals about how to take a more active role in managing their own health.
"It's great to see the outstanding progress that has been made to date on the new Peel Memorial, which is rising up and coming to life before our very eyes," said John Davies, Chair, William Osler Health System Board of Directors. "This momentum is due in large part to the commitment and dedication of our construction and project teams, the tremendous contributions of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, City of Brampton and Osler Foundation, as well as the support of our health care partners and the community."
The main service areas at Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness include:
- Urgent care
- High-tech diagnostics
- Day surgery
- Women, children's & adolescent's health
- Community mental health and addictions
- Rehab and Senior's wellness
- Dialysis
"This is truly a momentous milestone for everyone involved in this project and a significant step forward in bringing the new Peel Memorial to life. It is also an exciting time for this community, which has been committed to revitalizing this hospital for years," said Neil Davis, Vice Chair, William Osler Health System Board of Directors. "The new Peel Memorial is giving us a chance to lead the way in the province, with a state-of-the-art facility that will meet the increasing health care needs of our families, while changing our health system by focusing on health, wellness and prevention of illness and chronic disease."
At Peel Memorial, partnerships with other leading health organizations and complementary health providers – such as naturopaths and chiropractors – will make it easier for patients to get the care they need, when and where they need it most. Open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Peel Memorial's Urgent Care Centre will alleviate pressures on the emergency department at Brampton Civic Hospital and help patients with non life-threatening illnesses or injuries get treated more quickly.
"The new Peel Memorial will be another complement to the health care services already being provided for our community at Brampton Civic Hospital," said Her Worship Linda Jeffrey, Mayor of Brampton. "The entire City is rallying around this important project as we all eagerly anticipate its opening."
Peel Memorial will focus on treatment of patients who do not require an overnight stay in hospital. It will offer an extensive list of specialty and day clinics, and health services and programs focused on the unique needs of seniors, children, people requiring mental health services, and people living with chronic conditions such as diabetes or asthma.
"Meeting the complex health care needs of communities requires smart local planning, and an ability to address broader provincial priorities as outlined in Ontario's Patients First Action Plan for Health Care," said Maria Britto, Chair, Central West Local Health Integration Network Board of Directors. "A new and innovative approach to the delivery of health care services, the Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness will support Patients First by improving access, connecting services, informing people and patients and providing sustainable, cost-effective services for generations to come."
"This community remembers the exemplary care that was provided at Peel Memorial. We look forward to the opening of this beautiful new facility and the innovative approach to preventative medicine Osler will offer here," said Kyle Seeback, MP, Brampton West.
"Osler's Vision, 'Patient-inspired health care without boundaries', is fitting when it comes to the new Peel Memorial," said Matthew Anderson, President and CEO of William Osler Health System. "This new hospital will improve access to important health services that people in our growing community rely on most, and provide more options for the hundreds of thousands of patients who receive care and treatment at Osler sites each year."
To view Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness, visit www.williamoslerhs.ca.
ABOUT WILLIAM OSLER HEALTH SYSTEM: William Osler Health System is a hospital system 'Accredited with Exemplary Standing' that serves 1.3 million residents of Brampton, Etobicoke, and surrounding communities within the Central West Local Health Integration Network. Osler's emergency departments are among the busiest in Ontario and its labour and delivery program is one of the largest in the province. William Osler Health System Foundation builds and fosters relationships in order to raise funds to support William Osler Health System's capital, education and research priorities at Brampton Civic Hospital, Etobicoke General Hospital and the new Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health & Wellness.
For more information: Cara Francis
Manager, Public Relations and Digital Communications
William Osler Health System
P: 905-494-2120 ext. 59467
cara.francis@williamoslerhs.ca