N.B. government to fund $73-million expansion of Moncton hospital

The New Brunswick government is investing $73 million into a two-storey expansion of Moncton's Dr.-Georges-L. Dumont Regional Hospital.

Health Minister Michael Murphy made the funding announcement on Monday at the Moncton hospital, calling it the largest in "over 35 years for this hospital."

The health minister said the added space will bolster the hospital's capacity for clinical care and help reduce wait times.

Only $4 million of the total funds will be spent this year, mainly on the preliminary stages of construction.

The Dumont expansion will include space for a PET CT scan, a new power-generating facility and additional space for clinical services such as psychology, respiratory therapy and social work.

The expansion will also enable enlargement of nephrology services, an area the health minister said is seeing growth in demand.

The project will add about 10,800 square metres to the hospital and will be able to accommodate future additions. The new power-generating facility for the hospital will be housed in a separate building.

Andree Robichaud, the president and chief executive officer of Regional Health Authority A, said the announcement is welcome news for the staff at the hospital.

"The space inside Georges-L.-Dumont was at a premium staff and doctors have been waiting for this for quite a few years," she said.

The former Vanier School will be torn down to make room for the hospital expansion.