Weeneebayko Area Health Authority secures funding, land to build 'health campus'

Officials announced Wednesday that a new regional health campus will be builtin Moosonee.

It will include a new 36-bed hospital in Moosonee, with a larger emergency department, and expanded mental health and addictions programming, as well as a32-bed long term care facility for elders.

The current 70-year-oldhospital on Moose Factory Island will be redeveloped into an ambulatory care facility.

The Weeneebayko Area Health Authority says the new permanent facility will allow them to expand health promotions and better accommodate primary health care services. The agency servesthe health care needs of residents of Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Moosonee, Moose Factory, Attawapiskat and Peawanuk.

The land for the projectwas recently donated by the Town of Moosonee.

Health authority president and CEO Lynne Innes says they'll begin site testing and other preparation work.

"All of this will benefit the local community by making services easier to access and more comprehensive," she said in a news release.

The province says itisproviding $19.4 million towardthe planning and redevelopment of the facility.

OntarioMinister of HealthChristine Elliot says the facility in Moosonee will be culturally appropriate.

"This means elders will be able to remain in the community to get the care and support that they need," she said.

The new facility will also provide a larger emergency department,dialysis treatment and expanded mental health and addictions programming.

The provincial funding is for planning and redevelopment and Elliot says once that's completed, then construction can begin.

"I think people are pretty anxious to get started right away with it. But it will take that time and then we hope that we will be able to do the work that we need to do in the Ministry. Just to make sure that everything has been done that needs to be done," she said.

"So I can't give you an exact date, but I would say as soon, as we can because we know what this means to your community."