Providing Better Health Care Services in Vaughan
Plans for the future Vaughan hospital continue to move forward. The Vaughan Health Campus of Care has retained an architectural firm to begin design of the hospital buildings, and a request has been made to Vaughan Council to erect three signs on the site at Major Mackenzie and Jane Street. The goal of the large signs is to raise awareness of the hospital and to launch a major fundraising initiative.
The total cost of building the hospital is expected to be between $1.2 and 1.5 billion. The Ontario government is responsible for 90 percent of construction costs. The remaining 10 per cent must be covered by what’s called the community or local share. The $80 million the City has committed would amount to about 20 percent of the local contribution, meaning the rest of the money must be raised in the community.
A new board has been put in place to guide the future expansion of health care services in Vaughan and southwest York Region. The Vaughan Health Campus of Care and York Central Hospital have joined forces to create a new vision that promises an expanded health care system with hospital sites in both Richmond Hill and Vaughan. The collaboration between the two included a restructuring of the YCH Board of Trustees to include members from the VHCC and the Vaughan community.
June 11, 2010 Update |
The Board renewal process was led by a community-based Nominations Committee which received over 150 applications from members of the public. The process resulted in a Board of 24 members. The combination of new and existing board members has brought together a group who will use their expertise to help build a new regional health system over two sites to better meet the health care needs of Canada’s fastest growing urban community.
The Vaughan Health Campus of Care (VHCC) held a Public Open House in April about the development of the site for the future hospital. Residents offered comments and shared their ideas. The VHCC is seeking an Official Plan Amendment to change the designation of the property on the north side of Major Mackenzie Drive between Jane Street and Highway 400 from recreational to priority centre use. With the development of the hospital as the first priority, potential uses associated with it will contribute to a comprehensive health care campus and
mixed-use community.
A set of guiding development principles have been defined that characterize the vision for the VHCC. These include urbanizing the campus; a natural environment framework; green campus streets; a central space or courtyard; future health care uses for the community; and, connecting the buildings with the outdoors.
For more information please go to: http://www.vaughanhealthcare.com.