Among those taking part in the ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on the $22 million St. Francis Memorial Hospital Emergency Department expansion and renovation project recently were, from the left: Ethel LaValley, Mayor of South Algonquin Township; Mary Blank, Acting Mayor of Madawaska Valley Township; Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault, retired MPP John Yakabuski, St. Francis Memorial Hospital CEO Suzanne Madore and North Algona Wilberforce Township Mayor James Brose.

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Barry’s Bay – Construction is underway to expand St. Francis Memorial Hospital’s (SFMH) emergency department and renovate the ambulatory care clinic, making it faster and easier for more people to connect to emergency and ambulatory care closer to home.

The province is investing over $18.6 million to support the largest redevelopment in the hospital’s history, which includes renovating the hospital’s ambulatory care clinic and expanding its emergency department (ED) by adding approximately 6,000 square feet to the hospital.

The expanded ED will be connected to the existing hospital and offer a dedicated, convenient entrance with a separate waiting room. This redevelopment will allow more patients and their families to connect to timely and high-quality emergency and ambulatory care in a modernized and more comfortable setting.

Once opened, the new state-of-the-art 6,000 square foot emergency department and 6,600 square feet of renovations to the first floor will accommodate an estimated 11,900 visits each year and include:

• An upgraded trauma area to ensure timely responses to all emergencies in a timely manner;
• A dedicated isolation room equipped with negative air pressure;
• A new entrance for ambulances to use, improving patient flow;
• Quiet room space for mental health patients and families;
• Improved infection prevention and control measures;
• A new dedicated space for mental health care.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said the province is protecting Ontario’s health care system and ensuring more people in Renfrew County can connect to convenient emergency care, where and when they need it most.

“By investing in a new and expanded St. Francis Memorial Hospital emergency department, we are making it faster and easier for more people and their families to access high-quality emergency and ambulatory care in their community, for years to come,” she said.

Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault said supporting the project is another example of the government’s commitment to protecting Ontario’s health care and connecting people where it matters most.

Suzanne Madore, President and CEO of Renfrew Victoria and St. Francis Memorial hospitals said everyone is pleased with the progress to date and grateful for the support the project has received.

“This project promises to uphold the future of excellent health care in our community for decades to come,” she said. “Our rural community is grateful for the support it has received from the province, our generous donors, volunteers, patient and family advisors, hospital staff, physicians, and all those who have worked diligently for this day to come.”

Kevin Quade, Chair of the SFMH Board of Directors expressed his thanks to everyone who has worked diligently for this day to come. 

“This project supports the hospital vision to be a leader in health services that are patient centred, integrated and responsive to rural community health needs,” he said.

SFMH will continue to offer normal services throughout the duration of the project which is expected to take two years to complete. While SFMH will do its best to minimize interruptions, COO Greg McLeod said there will be some minor modifications to the site at various stages of the project.

“We will ensure new, bright signage is in place to assist with these changes”, he said.  “SFMH is grateful for the support and understanding of the community as we work to complete this important project.”

St. Francis Memorial Hospital is a 20-bed community hospital serving approximately 10,000 people living in Renfrew County, and South Algonquin Township in the District of Nipissing and Algonquin Park. As the only emergency department between Pembroke and Huntsville, SFMH sees more than 11,000 ED visits and over 6,000 ambulatory care visits a year.