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The steering committee charged with redefining Kings County Memorial Hospital’s role within healthcare and designing a new facility does not contain any local representatives, according to documents obtained through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
KCMH and QEH administration and working committees have both been consulted, according to the records, but they are not among the core group responsible for the project’s direction or final design.
“It would be nice to have someone local on the committee,” said Norman Stewart, president of the KCMH Foundation.“We need people who know the needs of our areas to be a part of the process.”
This is an issue he intends to raise at the upcoming Health PEI board meeting set to take place in Souris, June 26.
The foundation historically focused on fundraising for equipment at the local hospital. During the 2023 AGM, the foundation decided to create an ad hoc committee to advocate for local health services too.
Ensuring HPEI considers local input throughout the new hospital’s planning stages is one of the committee’s priorities.
Committee member Ray Brow said they have received little to no correspondence from Health PEI about KCMH plans in recent months.
Three Rivers Mayor Debbie Johnston has also called on Health PEI to consult with locals while planning.
“I would be very disappointed if locals didn’t have any input into the process,” she said.
“The redevelopment of Prince Edward Island’s hospitals is a generationally important project for Health PEI and the province,” said a statement from a HPEI media representative.
As of March this year, the steering committee did involve a mix of Health PEI’s most senior management including: CEO Michael Gardam (prior to his departure and replacement by Melanie Fraser), Chief Medical Officer Dr Katherine McNally, Chief Nursing and Professional Practice Officer Marion Dowling, Chief Operations Officer Corinne Rowswel,Chief Financial Officer Kellie Hawes, Chief Administrative Officer Belinda White, Chief Communications Officer Everton McLean and Philip Jefferson, director of facility and capital planning.
While consultant firms and the project manager only answer to this top level steering committee, Health PEI does acknowledge local representation on planning committees is “an essential component to the success of the project.”
According to a February draft of the master plan, multiple health service redistribution options have been identified and described based on Health PEI leadership’s direction.
The draft document also implied priority areas for redevelopment are identified and spatial requirements prepared.
However significant details were redacted.
Public consultation for the project was expected to occur August through December of 2023. In March of 2024 HPEI said it would begin in April, but to date no details have been released on when they will begin.
“Extensive public consultation is an important element of this project and will be announced at a later date as we move forward with the redevelopment plan,” the HPEI statement said.
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