The Nova Scotia Government has given the go ahead for a redevelopment project at South Shore Regional Hospital.
At a cost of $112.7 million, the hospital will receive an expansion of the Emergency Department, Day Surgery and Endoscopy units, which will allow access for more patients at a time, something the current layout restricts.
Eric Whynot, Chair of the Health Services Foundation’s Board of Directors said the redevelopment will also see new services added to aid those in need of dialysis treatment.
“One of the big things is there will be a 12-seat dialysis unit added to South Shore Regional,” he said.
“Right now, if you are in Lunenburg County and need treatment, the closest dialysis unit is in the hospital in Liverpool.”
The foundation has been part of the process since talks of the expansion started up a few years ago, said Whynot, and will partner with the province as a financial partner.
He said they are very excited to see these plans move forward, as the current hospital layout is very cramped, and the changes will only enhance the healthcare available for those in the South Shore.
“People will get better healthcare, and ultimately it keeps more people in our region as opposed to having to go to Liverpool or Halifax for treatment,” said Whynot.
While work is expected to start sometime this spring, the project will span the next seven years to avoid hospital-wide service interruptions.
