Frequently Asked Questions About
The Almonte General Hospital/Fairview Manor Redevelopment Project

What is the Almonte General Hospital (AGH)/ Fairview Manor (FVM) Redevelopment Project?

The AGH/FVM Redevelopment Project has two major components.

• The construction of a new 112-bed long-term care facility for Lanark County seniors on land adjacent to the Hospital
   
• Major expansion, renovations and upgrades to the Hospital that will add a new emergency department and much-needed space for other services, including new labour and family rooms in the Obstetrical Unit. The Project will also upgrade the Hospital’s existing space and purchase new medical equipment

The existing Fairview Manor will be used for other purposes. All three buildings will be connected by a covered link, permitting easy travel from one building to another and permitting the facilities to share support services.

The Manor and the Almonte General Hospital are good facilities.
Why do we need this project?

Fairview Manor has provided outstanding care to our seniors for more than 25 years. However, the building no longer meets provincial design standards for long-term care and the province would not let it to continue to operate as is. The Redevelopment Project will construct a brand-new, larger building for our seniors and permit us to use the existing Manor for other community purposes.

The Hospital also provides outstanding care, but it has a shortage of space. For example, the waiting area in the emergency, X-ray and lab departments is small and lacks privacy. More space is needed for pre-and post-surgery patients and the obstetrical unit. There are also space shortages in the pharmacy and health records areas. As well, the Hospital needs new X-ray equipment. The Redevelopment Project will create more space and privacy and purchase new X-ray and other equipment.

It is also increasingly difficult for Ontario communities, especially smaller ones, to attract and retain highly qualified physicians and other health-care professionals. New and upgraded facilities will help us attract these individuals.

Our community and region are growing and aging, placing increased pressure on our Hospital and long-term care facilities. If we are to be ready to meet the needs of today – and tomorrow – we must act now to redevelop the Manor and the Hospital.

What are the benefits of the project?

This leading-edge project will bring the most modern health and long-term care services to our community at one location, and it will help us attract and retain the best health care professionals.

A New and Larger Long-Term Care Facility

The new long-term care facility will be built to new provincial standards, meaning it will be accessible, provide greater privacy and have a less “institutional” atmosphere. The new facility will:

• Accommodate 112 residents, 12 more than the existing Fairview Manor,
   
• Have four 28-bed “home units” with separate dining areas for each unit,
   
• Provide a secure garden for residents,
   
• Have rooms that provide greater privacy for residents,
   
• Have a large, open great room with a fireplace, chapel, tuck shop and library,
   
• A first-floor kitchen area and cafeteria for use by visitors and staff at both facilities.

Adding Much-Needed Space and Equipment to the Hospital

The expansion, renovations and upgrades to the Almonte General Hospital will add much-needed space, upgrade existing space and purchase new equipment. The renovations to the Hospital’s main floor will include:

• A new emergency department,
   
• New rooms dedicated to outpatient clinics,
   
• Enlarging the X-ray and lab areas to accommodate new equipment, a waiting area and change rooms,
   
• Converting the current emergency room into a recovery room and creating a new waiting area in the emergency department,
   
• Creating a pre-surgery assessment room,
   
• Expanding the Hospital pharmacy,
   
• Making washrooms wheelchair-accessible,
   
• Creating a sleep and change area for doctors, and
   
• Creating additional space for health records and other support services.

The renovations to the Hospital’s second floor will include:

• Creating additional patient rooms and a family room for the obstetrical department,
   
• Ensuring that each patient room has its own washroom,
   
• Creating a new food servery,
   
• Creating a central nurses’ station,
   
• Creating an occupational therapy office,

Maximizing Operating Efficiencies

The Hospital and the new long-term care facility will share administrative and support services in order to maximize operating efficiencies.

The new long-term care facility, Hospital and existing Manor will be connected by a covered link making it possible for patients, residents, staff and visitors to travel easily from one building to another. It will also facilitate the movement of food trays and laundry.

How much will the project cost?

 The Redevelopment Project is being financed through contributions from the Province of Ontario, the County of Lanark, the Almonte General Hospital and community fundraising. The $4-million Quality Care For Life campaign has been launched to raise funds for the local share.

The Almonte General Hospital and Fairview Manor have contributed to the quality of life in this area for generations. Your investment in the campaign will preserve and enhance these precious facilities – today, and for years to come.

I don’t live in Mississippi Mills. Why should I support the Redevelopment Project?

 The Redevelopment Project will benefit the entire region.

The new Manor will serve seniors from all over Lanark County – especially those from the northern part of the County – as well as seniors from surrounding areas, including Ottawa, Renfrew County and elsewhere in Ontario.

AGH is the only rural hospital in this region that provides a full range of obstetrical services, including 24-hour epidural, anaesthetic and c-section coverage.

As well, more than half of the Hospital’s active care patients come from outside Mississippi Mills. According to Hospital statistics, 51 per cent of the Hospital’s active care patients in 2003-04 were from Carleton Place, Ottawa, Lanark County, Renfrew County and elsewhere in Ontario.

As our region grows and ages, the demands on our obstetrical services and long-term care services are increasing. If we are to be ready to meet these needs, we must act now. Your investment in the Quality Care For Life Campaign will help build a new long-term care facility for Lanark County seniors and upgrade the obstetrical department and other parts of the Hospital to better serve area residents.

How Can I Help?

 The Quality Care For Life campaign gratefully accepts:

• Gifts of cash,
   
• Pledges over a number of years,
   
• Gifts-in-kind,
   
• Planned gifts (bequests, gifts of securities, personal property or real estate, charitable trusts, annuities and life insurance).

Each and every gift will be gratefully received and acknowledged. The Foundation recognizes that your donation is made only after careful consideration. We are committed to act as responsible stewards of your gift and to ensure the appropriate level of recognition of your generosity.

All gifts are deductible from taxable income. An official receipt for income tax purposes will acknowledge all donations over $25.00, unless otherwise requested. Receipts will be mailed promptly upon receipt of contributions. If a donation is made in instalments, a receipt will be mailed at year-end for the total amount received during that year.

The Charitable Registration Number for the AGH/Fairview Manor Foundation is: 877913012RR0001

Designated Gifts

 Organizations, families or individuals may wish to sponsor a specific area of the facility, according to the following suggestions:

A suitable plaque, recognizing the donation, will be inscribed with the donor’s name and affixed to the door or wall of the sponsored area, as appropriate. Sample of wording:

This room was sponsored by The John Doe Family.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting:

Mary Hugessen – Almonte General Hospital~Fairview Manor Foundation Chair and Quality Care For Life Campaign Co-Chair
Email: m.hug@sympatico.ca

Leonard Lee – Quality Care For Life Campaign Co-Chair

Gerry Huddleston – Executive Director of the Almonte General Hospital/Fairview Manor Foundation
Phone: 256-2514, extension 2297
Email: ghuddleston@agh-fvm.com

Ray Timmons – Almonte General Hospital/Fairview Manor Foundation Secretary-Treasurer
Phone: 256-2514, extension 2220
Email: rtimmons@agh-fvm.com

Chris Must - Senior Administrative Assistant to the Almonte General Hospital/Fairview Manor Foundation
Phone: 256-2514, ext. 2296
Email: chrism@agh-fvm.com

General Inquiries:

Almonte General Hospital/Fairview Manor Foundation
75 Spring St., Almonte ON K0A 1A0
(613) 256-2514, Ext. 2296