Montague hospital plans discussed
Health minister quizzed in legislature about the future of Kings County Memorial Hospital
Liberal MLA Allen Roach had some questions for the government concerning the future of the Kings County Memorial Hospital in the legislature Friday.
Roach says the Montague health facility needs to be replaced and wants to know what the future plans are.
“The Kings County Memorial Hospital is very important to all residents of Kings County and it has been some years since there have been any renovations or expansions to the hospital,” said Roach.
“Can the minister tell us here today what his plans are for a future Kings County Memorial Hospital and does he have the dollars budgeted in his management plan?”
Health and Wellness Minister Robert Mitchell said the facility has had some maintenance in recent years, including renovations to the emergency department, replacing the backup generator and medical gas system, as well as recent upgrades to the roof.
Mitchell said plans are in place this year to make a $525,000 investment in the area of renovating the blood collection and lab services area.
Roach said additional services have been added to both Queens County and Prince County and wanted to know whether there are any such plans for Kings County.
Mitchell said he didn’t have an announcement to make at this time for the Kings County Memorial Hospital, but that his department will continue review the facility’s needs.
“Any suggestions that the honorable member would have to give me, I’d certainly accept them and any residents from that area as well,” said Mitchell.
“We want to provide the best health services to all Islanders in all regions of our province.”
Roach further asked Mitchell if he will work with the infrastructure renewal department to complete a structural assessment, as well as a service assessment of the Kings County Memorial Hospital by the fall.
Mitchell says moving forward, he would be happy to sit with Infrastructure Renewal Minister Paula Biggar to have discussions about all health facilities across P.E.I.
“Kings County Memorial Hospital is definitely an aging facility and we’ll look at opportunities to invest in that region,” said Mitchell.