The massive Cape Breton Regional Healthcare Redevelopment Project is about to grow even more, for the wee residents of the future.

Derek Mombourquette, Liberal MLA for Sydney-Whitney Pier told the Cape Breton Post Friday that new construction is being added to the plans to include a new maternal and newborn services unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney.

“The unit benefits mothers and babies in the regional hospital so it’s really awesome,” he said. “It’s going to provide better access to care for mothers and their newborn babies. It’s great news for the community.”

“The addition of the unit to the project is a testament to the advocacy on the ground that has been done by the health-care professionals and we’re happy to support them,” he added.

As far as the costs, Mombourquette said they are still in the design phase.

“We have put money in place to do the overall design now, what it’s going to look like,” he said, adding the actual cost of the addition will be determined going forward as tenders are awarded.

Erin Forsey, senior communications advisor with Nova Scotia Health, said the schematic design for the new maternal and newborn health services unit is underway with frontline staff, physicians, management, clinical leads and patients. 

In terms of space, planning is still in the early stages but the unit will continue to provide support for the approximately 900 births that happen annually at the regional hospital.

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