|
June 21, 2002 - "A proud and defining moment in the history
of London Health Sciences Centre," is how Tony Dagnone, President
and CEO of London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) described the groundbreaking
of the new Children's Hospital of Western Ontario and Grace Donnelly
Women's Health Pavilion. "It has been a long journey to this moment
and it means, that the aging facilities at the South Street Site
will finally close."
The new Children's Hospital of Western Ontario and Grace Donnelly
Women's Health Pavilion is a 10 storey, purpose-built tower being
built at the north side of Victoria Campus, LHSC as part of the
restructuring of London's hospitals. This facility will be one of
a kind in Canada, uniting the unique health care needs of women
and children in one facility.
LHSC
CEO Tony Dagnone and Mrs. Grace Donnelly unveil plans for the new
Children's Hospital of Western Ontario and Grace Donnelly Women's
Health Pavilion
"The Grace Donnelly Women's Health Pavilion will enable us to
provide a comprehensive approach to women's health and consolidate
the majority of women's care functions onto one site, in a facility
constructed specifically for the care of women," said Dr. Alan Bocking,
Chief, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. "It will benefit
the women we serve as our health care professionals will have the
advantage of working together in one location. Today's announcement
will further enhance our community's reputation as a leader in health
care." The Pavilion is named for Mrs. Grace Donnelly, the mother
of philanthropist Terence Donnelly, who in 1999 pledged $5 million
to LHSC in honour of Mrs. Donnelly's 90th birthday.
Dr. Tim Frewen, Chief, Department of Paediatrics said, "The vision
for this facility is absolutely exciting. We will be able to offer
women and children seamless, integrated care, in a way that recognizes
and responds to their special needs." Children's Hospital of Western
Ontario is the regional paediatric referral centre for Western and
Northern Ontario, and home to the only specialized children's emergency
department between Toronto and Thunder Bay. Founded as War Memorial
Children's Hospital in 1921, Children's Hospital of Western Ontario
now operates as a "hospital within a hospital" - an integral yet
distinct unit within London Health Sciences Centre.
The building will also house The K.L. Sumner Centre for Health
Learning. This Centre will become the focal point for health care
knowledge and education activity for the people of southwestern
Ontario.
The generosity of our donors, and the overall success of London
Health Sciences Campaign played an influential role in the Ministry
of Health and Long Term Care's decision to increase funding to LHSC.
"Community support had everything to do with making today's events
happen," noted Mr. Dagnone. "The overwhelming support the London
Health Sciences Campaign has received from our community is a powerful
affirmation of the tradition of excellence our physicians and staff
are noted for." The Campaign has raised $97 million toward its $104
million goal.
The construction tender for the Children's Hospital of Western
Ontario and Grace Donnelly Women's Health Pavilion closes July 4,
2002. Construction will begin shortly thereafter and will take approximately
four years to complete.
|
