Victoria General replacement plan in the works, but slammed as too slow

After a catastrophic flood at the Victoria General site's Centennial Building, more questions are being asked about the province's ability to replace the aging hospital.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority has been working on a plan for years, but it's unclear when construction on a replacement building will begin, or how much it will cost.

In 2012, the health authority — then known as Capital Health — began a design for renovations to the Dartmouth General and the QEII site.

The plan, which was submitted for government approval in 2013, included a five-storey addition on the Halifax Infirmary, with 150 beds and 16 operating rooms. This addition was to replace the Centennial Building, which would be decommissioned.

The plan also included a timeline to award tenders for construction this year. Construction was slated to start in 2016, with completion in 2020.

So far, the Nova Scotia Health Authority has not put out any tenders related to the QEII project. It's still working on cost estimates and could not make any available.

'Been neglected by governments'

On Tuesday, the government faced questions about its commitment to replacing the building. The premier reiterated his commitment to the project but didn't give any timelines. 

"The problem that has happened over the last few days didn't start over the last few days," Stephen McNeil told reporters.

"It's been neglected by governments of all political stripes, quite frankly, in dealing with the problem. I would say to you, we've done more in two years of dealing with that physical infrastructure than any government. We've rolled the money out." 

Dave Wilson, the New Democratic Party's health critic, said he felt the government has delayed on the issue. Wilson was health minister in the former NDP government, but he says he did not receive Capital Health's plan or inspect the costs while they were in power.

The NDP ordered a design study into the Victoria General replacement but did not move further, although they were warned of the decaying hospital when they came to power. Wilson called on the government to move faster and also called for more details on cost.

"The government should have those details and I would hope they would share that with Nova Scotians," he said.  

The last hospital to be built in Nova Scotia was in Truro. It was supposed to cost $104 million, but the final tally was about $184 million.