Sign Points to Future Hospital in Pugwash
A happy group of people gathered on the front lawn of the North Cumberland Memorial Hospital this morning as the Minister of Health unveiled a sign announcing the future home of a replacement for the aging health care facility.
The minister, Randy Delorey, said, “This has been a long time coming.” He went on to say, “This is one of the many infrastructure initiatives we have taking place around the province. This new community hospital will allow us to better meet the needs of your community, now and into the future.”
The $25.5 million facility will include primary, urgent, and outpatient care, along with laboratory and diagnostic imaging services, outpatient clinics, inpatient/palliative care, and emergency services.
Detailed construction drawings and specifications are underway leading to a tender call early in the new year with construction beginning next spring.
The minister acknowledged that rural Nova Scotia faces a challenge in recruiting new health care professionals and he suggested a modern, well equipped hospital would help that process greatly.
That sentiment was appreciated by Dr. Brian McFarlane who recently retired from his Pugwash based medical practice but continued to lobby for the often promised new hospital. He said, “It will be an important asset in our efforts to recruit health care professionals to the area.”
McFarlane says a lot of effort has gone into the project over the last fifteen years. He added, “This is a good news day. The unveiling of this sign, today, provides important confirmation that this project is actually moving forward.”
The Chair of the local hospital foundation, a volunteer group that raises funds to support the ongoing needs of the hospital, says, “North Cumberland Memorial is old and tired. It’s done its job.” Brian Gordon emphasized, “A new facility is very needed and welcomed in Pugwash.”
Barbie Cook, the Site Lead at the hospital, acted as master of ceremonies for the unveiling. She hit a high note in closing the event when she said, “You are all invited back in about two years time when we cut the ribbon for the new hospital.”
The photo shows the unveiling of the future home sign. Brian Gordon is on the left as Minister Delorey and Barbie Cook struggle with the tarp in the wind, as Dr. Brian McFarlane looks on from the right.
Below is a draft drawing of the new hospital, and a photo of Cumberland North MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, left, as people sign the COVID era guestbook, a contact tracking sheet of all who attended today's event..
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