Employees, physicians and community representatives were advised recently that planning for the new East Prince Health facility is on target, and two major new planning phases are about to begin.
Several sites for the new facility are now being considered. A study has been completed to define the broad role of the new facility. The next phase, the Master/Functional Programming phase, will begin in March 1999. It will be a more detailed planning process, determining such things as the exact size of the facility and the range and scope of services required. This phase is expected to take about six months to complete.
A process to explore a partnership with the private sector will also begin in March, advised project director Herman McQuaid this week at a series of information sessions for staff, physicians and community members. "Government is pursuing three major opportunities through a partnership with the private sector," he said. "A partnership could provide the opportunity to have the best possible facility, the best value for Islanders and an open and transparent planning process."
Government will publicly issue a Request for Qualifications in March 1999 to invite private sector teams to qualify for consideration as a partner in the project. The decision whether to pursue such a partnership or build the facility using the traditional model is expected to be made this summer.
East Prince Health Board Chair Katherine Kelly said the information sessions were well attended. "Participants were pleased to hear that if a partnership arrangement is pursued, the principles and values of East Prince Health and the collective agreements would continue to be honoured," she said.
Government has made the following commitments to a possible partnership with the private sector. Employees would remain employees of East Prince Health. Employee security, salaries and benefits would not be affected by the partnership. Employees and community would be invited to be active participants early in the planning process. The planning process would be orderly, open and transparent, based on a commitment to ongoing communications with employees and the community. Finally, the exploration process will be taken seriously to ensure that the best possible option to build a quality facility is identified.