All Nations Hospital Project moves steadily ahead despite a pandemic year

Press Release

Kenora, ON – The project to redevelop Kenora’s hospital did not halt due to the pandemic, in fact, this challenging year only solidified the pressing need for a modern hospital facility. The Project Planning Team, Steering Committee, Consultants and Community Project Planners forged ahead and by the end of April 2021, stage one of the project planning phase was completed.

The pandemic pressed the team to be extremely creative with efforts to continue gathering public input. When the initial engagement stage wound down, 1704 hospital users had participated in 56 engagement sessions in 16 different communities, 449 online surveys were completed, and 2390 individuals were engaged through events. Two Community Projects Planners worked to gather this information, with one focused solely on gathering input from Indigenous communities. Additionally, over 360 clinical services participants shared their expertise and ideas in focus group style work. This extensive feedback was fundamental for informing important needs that the project must address. This knowledge, combined with input from experts in facility planning, architecture, cost consulting, engineering, and statistical analysis, has informed an in-depth project proposal which has been formally submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Health, Health Capital Infrastructure Branch.

Proposed is a new hospital designed to meet modern hospital standards, both in service delivery, staff, and patient/family needs, as well as space requirements to achieve these standards. Bed requirements for most programs remain the same but there are an increased number of beds proposed for Mental Health & Addictions to address service gaps experienced in the region. Key service delivery model themes identified in the proposal include accessibility, functionality, efficiency, blending of Western Medicine and Traditional Healing on a new campus, and building strong partnerships for service coordination with other providers across the continuum of care. Site development options were extensively explored, and a recommended site has been proposed.

This project is being planned under a unique partnership between Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Kenora Chiefs Advisory and a Steering Committee with community representatives working together.

As part of approving the proposal submission to the Ontario Ministry of Health, the Board Chairs and CEOs for the Kenora Chiefs Advisory and the Lake of the Woods District Hospital, in their respective letters of support, made the following statement:

We have worked together in a true spirit of partnership and inclusion to create this proposal for a unique facility. This project is informed by a comprehensive engagement plan that connected in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and with diverse audiences and stakeholders across the region. The planning proposal recognizes the need for a blend of western medicine and traditional healing to work in tandem for meeting the unique needs of the Indigenous communities served by the All Nations Hospital. Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all people of the region we serve, and in our planning, we defined the role of the All Nations Hospital in serving within an All Nations health system.

Greg Rickford, MPP Kenora-Rainy River commented on the work to-date “I commend the All Nations Hospital project planning and community planning team for their steadfast dedication and commitment to moving this project forward and completing phase one of the project this past April. This has been an incredibly challenging year, one that has highlighted just how critical our health care assets are to our safety and wellbeing. The All Nations Hospital will be an incredible representation of our unique community here in Northwestern Ontario and I am proud to be a long-time advocate for the project. Congratulations to the team on this important milestone and thank you for your work to bring modern, connected health care to our community.”

Over the coming months, the Project Planning Team will coordinate with the Ministry of Health as the Stage 1 Proposal is reviewed. Details of this proposal will be shared in the summer of 2021 as the next round of engagement launches. The public can look forward to more opportunities to be involved in the planning of your new hospital. We are hopeful to move into the next stage of the project in the fall (functional programming – space and function requirements).

Thank you to all who participated in the first round of engagement for your new hospital. Not all changes and improvements must wait for the new hospital, a Current Operations Feedback Review committee has been struck and meets regularly. This group focuses on partnerships to implement solutions now, understanding we must operate in the current facility for several more years. Several successes have been realized through this work already.

Boozhoo Gakina awiiya,

Ogimaawabiitong Kenora Chief’s Advisory, Lake of the Woods Hospital Aashi-ingitizhitomin indoshkimaadinikiwinaan, miidash ingo geye ishkoniganikaan waajisemagakiin ikodewenin gaagikinowajibigadagin maagwa api-zaagaswidiing.

• Ozhichigaagemag oshki’aakoziiwigamig
• Naawaaj machaag giiwanaadiziwigaming
• Giwiinibawitagochigadeg oshki akozi’agaming
• Anishnaabee weechi-it-tewin naanaadawa’nin tawaamiikut

•Mamoo’kanda Oshki’aakoziiwigaming Ka aabii aanookiiwin chigii-chiigaatay naagaj idash igo dawiindamagaam minawa akidomaagagan ishkoniganikaan ikodowwin api’zangaag aakoziwin gabiichizamagag. Midash api miniwaa giwi oodisegowaag gidoshkinigoinwaa zagaswaaydiwag Midash igo geye gezhi’anokegadeg oshki akozi’agaming All Nations Hospital Miigwech

o keep informed on the project, please follow the Lake of the Woods District Hospital on Facebook and visit the All Nations Hospital Project website to subscribe to receive the most up-to -date information – https://anh.lwdh.on.ca/.

The All Nations Hospital Project is a community project, focused not only on creating an inclusive, efficient facility staffed by compassionate and caring individuals but also on building relationships to strengthen our community.Mamoo’kandaa oshi aakoziiwigamig. Working together for our new hospital.

#AllNationsHospitalProject #BuildingOurHospital

For further information please contact:

Charlene Kissick
Community Project Planner
All Nations Hospital Project
ckissick@lwdh.on.ca
807-464-1941

Cheryl O’Flaherty
VP Corporate Services & CFO / Executive Project Sponsor
Lake of the Woods District Hospital
coflaherty@lwdh.on.ca
807-468-9861, ext: 2265

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