Cornwall Regional Oversight Committee to Report on Repairs

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says that Cornwall Regional Hospital’s Independent Oversight Committee is to present a comprehensive report on the ongoing repairs at the facility, later this month.

The Minister was speaking to journalists during a press briefing at the St. James Type-Five Health Centre on Friday (September 6).

He said that the Committee, headed by Chairman, Professor Archibald McDonald, will give a report “based on their continuous monitoring [of the project]”.

Dr. Tufton noted that two contractors have been engaged to undertake works on the hospital’s main building.

“[One contractor is working on] a new roof and gutting floors to basically reinstall plumbing, electrical (fixtures) and partitions. So really clearing out what are the original internals of the building, and that is going on as we speak,” he indicated.

The second contractor, he said is “in the process of removing the old ventilation system, which is a very complicated process. There is fiberglass so [workers]… have to be suited up and so on to take out all of that and… then dispose of it properly”.

Approximately $400 million is being spent to replace the pipes, electrical and ventilation system to address noxious fumes being emitted, while a $100-million contract was signed for the roof repairs.

Dr. Tufton said that contracts will be signed for additional work.

He noted that precautions are being taken to ensure that the restoration project does not interfere with the operations of the hospital, including the staff and patients.

Furthermore, Dr. Tufton assured citizens that the hospital continues to provide all the critical services that are required by the people of St. James and its environs.

“So, whether it is an unfortunate trauma-related incident [or otherwise], you can go to Cornwall and get the support. There is the radiology unit, there is the emergency unit, surgery – all of that is there,” he said.

“I do not want any citizen of St. James or otherwise to think that if they require the assistance or support medically, they cannot go to Cornwall, because it is there and it is functional, even though the main building is under construction,” Dr. Tufton stressed.

The Minister noted that while some challenges persist, he lauded the staff for “going beyond the normal requirements” to ensure that operations at the hospital continue.

The Cornwall Regional Hospital’s Independent Oversight Committee was appointed by Dr. Tufton to oversee the ongoing restoration of the 10-storey building.

Approximately $3.5 billion has been budgeted for the project.