Raising of the flags: The first flag raising for the Orléans Health Hub was done by Ms. Marie-France Lalonde, Member of Parliament for Orléans; Mr. Stephen Blais, Member of Provincial Parliament for Orléans; Dr. Bernard Leduc, President and CEO of Montfort; as well as Garry and Karen Mears, clients of the Orléans Health Hub.
By: Gabrièle Caza-Levert, Communications Advisor, Hôpital Montfort/Orléans Health Hub
It was with a great sense of pride that representatives of the Orléans Health Hub partners celebrated the official opening of the 88-million dollar health and community services center, on October 4th.
Taking place outdoors in compliance with all current sanitary restrictions, in attendance to the event were a select group of elected officials, representatives of the Hub's partners, and members of the community.
Located in the East of Ottawa, the Orléans Health Hub is a unique and innovative model that brings together a range of specialized and community-based care under one roof. Here, residents of Ottawa's east end can benefit from a variety of integrated, needs-based programs, offered in both official languages and close to home, in a welcoming, nature-inspired environment.
Inauguration-OHH: Group of elected officials, representatives of the Hub’s partners, and members of the community celebrating the official inauguration of the Orléans Health Hub.
What makes the Hub unique is the collaboration of eight different partners, with different portofolios, ways of operating, clientele and services that come together to put the clients first and centre the care or support around their individual needs.
In the same building, services from Bruyère, Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa, CHEO, Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre, Hôpital Montfort, ParaMed, Ottawa Public Health, Geronto-Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa and Home and Community Care Support Services Champlain are being offered.
"Our clients describe the Orléans Health Hub as bright and beautiful space. We hope to truly see it come alive become a community hub of activity and services for seniors as more and more in person services resume. For many of our clients who access our service through our partners' programs, the Hub truly lives up to its name offering a comfortable and welcoming environment to receive the care and support they need," explained Nathalie Lafrenière, Executive Director of the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre, during the inauguration.
This state-of-the-art building, long awaited by the east-end community, had a soft opening in June 2021, two years after the groundbreaking event. With the support and guidance of Infrastructure Ontario, construction remained on schedule despite the pandemic that hit along the way.
"We are grateful to the province for its investment to bring integrated health and community services closer to home", said Michael Lindsay, President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario. "To Hôpital Montfort, EllisDon and everyone who worked tirelessly to ensure the Hub opened its doors on schedule while navigating a global pandemic, we extend our heartfelt thanks and congratulations. Ontario is healthier and safer because of professionals like you."
As the Hub will open in two phases, the services available at this time are seniors' services, medical imaging, rehabilitation services, some mental health and wellness services, some specialty clinics, as well as care coordination and a mobility aids store operated by Ontario Medical Supply. Subsequently, a laboratory, a café, some mental health and wellness services, additional medical imaging capacity, as well as Montfort's specialty clinics will open soon.
This 88-million dollar expansion of social and health care in the East end of Ottawa increases the quality of life of members the Orléans community. Montfort has been hard at work in providing the $12 million dollars local share through philanthropy.
On October 16, the most important public fundraising campaign in the history of the Montfort Foundation was launched after raising 8 million during the silent phase of the campaign. The Foundation is now turning to the community to help raise the remaining 4 million dollars of the Orléans Health Hub project which will help acquire more state-of-the-art equipement and technology, support the professionnel development of staff and invest in research.
Because visits to the Hub must respect the sanitary measures currently in effect, only clients and people with an appointment can enter the building at this time. An open doors event should take place in the spring if the situation allows it.
For more information about the Hub and its services, visit the website cso-ohh.com or contact info@cso-ohh.com.