Hospital is all moved in (25 photos)

The much-anticipated move of patients and services from the Plummer Memorial and General sites of the Sault Area Hospital is now a part of history.

The actual patient move began at 6 a.m. today and most of the 291-bed was moved one-and-a-half hours earlier than expected at 4 p.m.

Saultites watching for it along the route from Queen Street, up Church Street, and along Great Northern Road to the new site might have missed it all together.

A fleet of ambulances and trucks shuttled patients, equipment and supplies up to the new site singly or in small groups quickly, quietly and efficiently.

Preparation for the move began almost the day funding for the new hospital was announced with a search for a company that would oversee the move.

Sault Area Hospital Board of Directors chose Health Care Relocations to do the job.

Staff and volunteers had the chance to familiarize themselves with the new facilities well in advance of today's patient move.

Also many service essentials were already in place, making the move smoother.

The full text of a news release from SAH follows.

************************* New Sault Area Hospital now open

SAULT STE. MARIE - (March 6) – All patients and services have now been transferred to the new Sault Area Hospital located at 750 Great Northern Road (at the lights just north of the OPP station).

We wish to thank all area residents for your cooperation in ensuring a safe and successful move.

The General and Plummer sites are now closed to acute care patients, although the Plummer site will still operate as a temporary Transitional Care facility for Alternate Level of Care patients.

All other residents requiring inpatient or outpatient hospital services must now report to the new hospital.

Emergency services

Those visiting the Emergency Department (ED) are reminded that there is a separate entrance and parking lot at the south end of the building, providing convenient and direct access.

A number of parking spaces are dedicated exclusively for use by patients visiting the ED.

Contacting or visiting patients

Residents may contact the main switchboard for patient locations/room numbers.

The phone number remains unchanged at 705-759-3434.

Visitors may also check at the Information Desk in the main lobby.

Volunteers will be on duty today until 9 p.m. to assist you.

Regular Information Desk hours will be Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning tomorrow. Parking

The new Sault Area Hospital features four parking lots surrounding the building, with 200-plus additional spots versus the previous sites, including more than 60 spots designated for the disabled.

Lots are located close to all main entrances, including the lobby, the Algoma District Cancer Centre/ Maternity and Paediatrics and the Emergency Department.

The parking rate remains unchanged at $5.

Monthly passes are available for those with loved ones in the hospital for extended periods and can be purchased at the Cashier located in the Admitting area.

No parking is allowed anywhere other than the designated lots, including the road encircling the hospital and leading to or from the Great Northern Road and Third Line entrances.

Public transit

Public transportation to the new SAH is available via two bus routes (Cedar Heights, North Street) with transit stops located near the west lobby entrance as well as along the southeast portion of the roadway surrounding the hospital.

For details, visit the City website.

SAH is a non-smoking facility

The entire property is non-smoking, including all buildings, parking lots, access roads and the Hub Trail which runs along the eastern edge of the hospital grounds.

Smoking is not allowed anywhere, including in vehicles, while on SAH property.

The policy applies to all patients, visitors, staff, physicians and volunteers and will be strictly enforced.

SAH wishes to remind everyone to respect the rights and privacy of the property owners adjacent to the hospital grounds and not trespass or litter on those properties.

Gift shop

A beautiful new and larger Gift Shop is now located right in the main lobby next to the Information Desk.

Be sure to check out the fabulous new collection of merchandise, or just stop in to satisfy a craving for a snack.

The Gift Shop continues to be operated by the dedicated members of the SAH Volunteer Association and all proceeds go to the Sault Area Hospital Foundation in support of capital purchases for the new hospital.

Sault Area Hospital Foundation

The Sault Area Hospital Foundation (SAHF) has also moved to the new facility.

Please visit them just off the main lobby across from the Algoma District Cancer Centre.

For full details on the new SAH, please visit the SAH website.

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