The project to renovate the Bowmanville Hospital took another step toward kick-off on January 11.

The Government of Ontario announced that it will invest $2.5 million to fund further exploration work at the hospital site. The money will be used to offset the costs of planning the renewal and expansion of the hospital's infrastructure.

"Durham is one of the fastest growing regions in Ontario and Bowmanville Hospital had its last major expansion over 30 years ago," said Durham MPP Lindsey Park. "Today's announcement will help modernize our community hospital and ensure Lakeridge Health can deliver better patient-centered and timely care, both now and into the future."

As part of this project, the current Bowmanville Hospital will be redeveloped through a mix of new construction and renovations. The expansion will replace the old north wing of the hospital with a new patient tower. It will also expand the programs and services offered at the hospital to include a new emergency department, new surgical services, a critical care unit, expanded diagnostic imaging and in-patient units.

The expanded facility will help Lakeridge Health deliver health care across Bowmanville, Clarington and surrounding areas.

Infrastructure Ontario’s latest P3 Market Report document lists the value of the project at between $200 million and $499 million, with an RFP expected to be issued in the summer of 2022. If all goes well, shovels should hit the ground in 2024.

"This is an unprecedented time for health care across the region as Lakeridge Health builds an integrated acute care system to better serve people living and working throughout Durham Region,” said Cynthia Davis, president and CEO of Lakeridge Health. “This important renovation and expansion will provide modern facilities for our talented team to deliver care that will improve the patient experience and enhance access to those programs and services our community needs most."

In addition to the redevelopment project, Ontario is also supporting the development of an interim helipad for Bowmanville Hospital. The interim helipad will improve how Lakeridge Health safely transfers critical patients to and from Bowmanville Hospital while the redevelopment project is being completed. The support for the interim helipad will be separate from the $2.5 million planning grant provided for the redevelopment project.

"Investing in projects like the redevelopment of Bowmanville Hospital is a key part of our government's plan to build a connected and sustainable public health care system and end hallway health care," said Health Minister Christine Elliott. "This investment will help ensure the people of Bowmanville and neighbouring areas have access to the modern facilities and services they need, when they need them."

The province’s 2020 budget called for investments of $351 million for more than 2,250 new beds at 57 hospitals and alternate health facilities across the province.

The need for an expanded hospital in Durham Region is significant. The area is one of the fastest growing regions in Ontario with the population expected to double by 2041. In 2018–19, there were 38,050 inpatient hospital discharges, 204,551 emergency room visits, 440,772 clinic visits and 52,335 surgeries across Lakeridge Health.