Photos & Video: Hospital “Key” Handed Over

June 12, 2014

A key handover ceremony took place today [June 12], giving the Bermuda Hospitals Board [BHB] access to the new Acute Care Wing ahead of its expected September 2014 opening. BHB CEO Venetta Symonds receive the “swipe” key to the new facility, marking a milestone in its construction.

Speaking at the event, Premier Michael Dunkley said, “Today is a milestone day for Bermuda. It is a day which marks a pivotal moment in our healthcare industry.

“It is also a the day when the BHB can start the process in earnest of ensuring that everything is in place and in good working order in advance of September – when the full transference of the patients and healthcare services occurs.”

From left to right: Ralph Richardson, Executive Director Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust, Jonathan Brewin, Chairman of BHB, Minister of Health, Seniors & Environment Jeanne Atherden, Premier Dunkley, Venetta Symonds, CEO BHB, and Alan Burland, President of BCM McAlpine

“To everyone who had a role to play in bringing this day to fruition I want to congratulate you on behalf of the Government and the people of Bermuda. I want to particularly acknowledge the building contractors, Paget Health Services, and all of the workers who put in the long arduous hours to create this structure. You have all done stellar work in creating a truly first class facility that all of Bermuda can be proud of.”

Minister of Health, Seniors, and Environment Jeanne Atherden said, “I too am excited that the Bermuda Hospitals Board is getting the key to the Acute Care Wing today. It was just a few weeks ago that I was a member of that Board, and so I am well-informed on the need for this facility and its importance to healthcare in Bermuda.

“This is an important milestone, but it is not the end of the journey. There is serious work still to be done in the next three months to ensure a safe and seamless transition of patients and services and to prepare staff for the new standards of care that the BHB will be able to introduce at the new facility. I am greatly looking forward to the doors opening in September.”

Alan Burland, President of BCM MCAlpine and Bermuda Engineering, said, “I am very proud of our achievement. Proud as a Bermudian, as President of BCM McAlpine and Bermuda Engineering, and as Director of Paget Health Services.

“Bermuda and our team have clearly demonstrated that Public Private Partnerships [PPPs] can be successfully delivered in Bermuda. This is by far the most complex project built in Bermuda. It has been a huge achievement in developing, designing, engineering, financing, building, and project management.

“A huge thanks goes to all involved, including BHB, Paget Health Services, BHB Project Management, banks, architects and engineers, specialist consultants, SRM, builders, sub-contractors, thousands of workers, suppliers, shipping companies, stevedores, Government agencies, building inspectors, fire marshals, the Department of Health; this has been a truly massive and effective team effort, you should all be justly proud.”

From left to right: Jonathan Brewin, Chairman of BHB, Venetta Symonds, CEO BHB, Premier Dunkley, Alan Burland, President of BCM McAlpine, and Minister of Health, Seniors & Environment Jeanne Atherden

“I offer my very best wishes to BHB for a very successful future. This hospital is a key pillar for Bermuda as it emerges from the long and deep recession – it demonstrate world class infrastructure, unrivaled on any island. It is also a masterful showcase of PPP.”

Venetta Symonds, CEO of BHB, said, “We’ve all been able to watch this building go up and I know many are anxious to see inside. When we get the key in a few minutes we will not be able to move right in. Final building works are still being completed. Having the key allows our engineers to now come in and do connecting works, and it allows our contractors to fine tune everything in the building.

“Staff also need to get oriented and trained so that we have a smooth move in September when we open to the public. The 90 beds in the acute care wing will replace beds in the current building and will be used for everyone in need of acute medical or surgical care. The 90 beds in the acute care wing will replace beds in the current building and will be used for everyone in need of acute medical or surgical care.

“In construction lingo the building is at substantial completion. I thank our partner Paget Health Services for their hard work in providing us with this much needed modern facility and the BHB staff who played an integral role in the building design, by developing specifications for our clinical needs. It’s this cooperative effort that has brought us to this exciting point.”

Click to enlarge photos: