The emergency department redevelopment project at Brantford General Hospital is underway.
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Work on the estimated $32-million project began last week resulting in the closure of a section of Terrace Hill Street from St. Paul Avenue to Elizabeth Street.
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The road closure is expected to last a year while renovations are anticipated to take three-and-a-half years, hospital officials say.
“The planned renovation improvements to the emergency department will support better patient flow and a more modern facility to serve the health care needs of the community,” Dr. Somaiah Ahmed, the chief and medical director of emergency medicine at Brant Community Healthcare System, said in a statement. “Thank you for your patience and support as we complete the renovations.
“Our doctors, staff and volunteers are ready to assist residents who need care.”
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During construction, all non-urgent patients are being urged to enter the hospital through D-wing, off Elizabeth Street or E-wing, off St. Paul Avenue. Both entrances are open from 6 am to 8 pm
Non-urgent patients and visitors are being directed to park in the parking garage and parking lot F, which can be accessed from both Lawrence and Elizabeth streets. The parking garage and lot F are the closest parking lots to the D-wing main entrance.
The only people who should be entering the hospital through A wing, off Terrace Hill Street, are emergency and dialysis patients, laboring and pregnant women and those patients and visitors who have accessibility requirements.
Those visiting BGH after 8 pm can also enter through A-wing, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Hospital officials are trying to reduce the amount of traffic through the A-wing entrance to help emergency department staff continue to care for patients during the renovations.
All hospital parking lots remain open.
However, The McClure Center and parking lot B are only available via Dundas Street while renovations are being done. McClure Avenue will be closed at Terrace Hill Street for all traffic except emergency vehicles.
Parking lot C on Terrace Hill Street is open and the entrance and exit are unaffected. However, the parking lot can only be approached from Terrace Hill Street between Elizabeth Street and West Street.
Residents are asked to follow the signs posted in and around the hospital.
The provincial government in July announced a $28.3 million capital grant to help cover the cost of the emergency department project. The balance of about $4 million is being covered by donations to the Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation.
The project includes construction of a “see and treat” area with treatment bays/rooms; an extended stay area (waiting/triage/registration and security); an ambulance arrival and off-loading zone; a patient drop-off; associated clinical and non-clinical support spaces; and a new Indigenous services suite adjacent to the emergency department available to all patients.
The emergency department provides care to more than 58,000 patients annually.
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