Windsor-Essex is one step closer toward a mega hospital.
The boards of Windsor Regional and Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare unanimously approved a stage one report, which outlines how services will be delivered.
Local medical leaders call it a milestone.
"If you were a patient in our facility you'd have access to almost every service you could have," says Chief of Staff at Windsor Regional Hospital, Gary Ing.
Stage 1A looks at operating budgets, projected future community needs and hospital beds and what clinical and support services would be offered in the future hospital.
"It talks about increasing it to over 700 acute care beds over the next 20 years," says Windsor Regional Hospital's CEO David Musyj.
80% of rooms would be private to improve infection control, currently only 29% of rooms at met campus are private and only 16% at the Ouellette Campus.
Another issue, space and cramped hallways and little storage space.
Musyj estimates renovations to Ouellette and Met Campus would cost about $2 billion, while building a new facility should come in close to $1.5 billion.
As well, the report calls for the relocation of such services as a community wound clinic, transfusion services at home and portable ultrasound services.
"By having this kind of set up, it would encourage the physician to stay and also would encourage people to come to our facility." says Ing.
Officials have not discussed a possible location for a new facility.
It would require about 50 to 60 acres and it would not have to be in Windsor.
"This hospital, where ever it is located, will have to accommodate the needs of Windsor-Essex," says Musyj.
The report will go the Erie St. Clair LIHN for consideration Tuesday.
If approved, it will then go to the Ministry of Health.
