Civic Campus of Ottawa Hospital

Earlier this week, amid great fanfare, Ottawa Hospital officials along with local politicians announced that 60 acres of the Experimental Farm, across the street from the current Carling Avenue Civic hospital campus, was being provided by the federal government for a new building. Still years away from being built, the announcement  received a predictable shock reaction from the 'farm huggers'. While the debate about the use of the farm property has merit, there has been little discussion regarding a location that could be more suitable for the longer term. Although the current general location may serve local needs right now, as the city expands in three directions, will the Carling Avenue location become less centralized? If we do want this hospital to be convenient for as many residents as is possible, and bearing in mind the new hospital will be expected to remain in place for 80-100 years, should there not be more discussion regarding a more suitable location that will accommodate the longer-term growth of the city?

In so far as financing this endeavor is concerned, I hope the provincial government does not lose sight of the need to proceed with the construction of the promised $130 million Orleans Family Health Hub. In January 2010, former Liberal MPP Phil McNeely and Mayor Jim Watson publically declared that the community of Orleans was going to have improved medical facilities, a mini-hospital, with a wide range out-patient programs and medical treatments. Right now, all we have to show for that is a sign in a field. Residents of Orleans can only hope that their promised medical facility does not a back seat to the Civic project.