According to an expert review, restoration work at the Port Perry Hospital is expected to continue until late Spring or early Summer, 2018.

A release from Lakeridge Health on Thursday (Aug. 31) noted the Aug. 25 fire at the Port Perry Hospital left the electrical, mechanical and environmental systems heavily damaged.

Read more: Chief says fire at Lakeridge Health Port Perry caused $10 million worth of damage

Lakeridge Health says work at the hospital is underway in order to reopen the facility as quickly as possible. The timeframe and a committed re-opening date will become definitive over the coming months as the detailed construction plan is developed.

In the next couple days, Lakeridge Health says crews will remove parts of the building damaged by the fire, making way for the rebuild.

“The closure is disappointing to us and the North Durham community who rely on services close to home,” says Matthew Anderson, Lakeridge Health President and CEO. 

“Restoring and reopening our Port Perry Hospital is a top priority for Lakeridge Health.” 

Scugog Fire Chief Mark Berney said the fire resulted in approximately $10 million worth of damage. He also said the cause of the fire was construction related.

“The origin and cause was determined to be a hot tar roofing application process that ignited nearby insulation,” said Chief Berney.

Lakeridge Health has said all 22 patients, as well as visitors and staff, were safely evacuated after the fire, which was reportedly under control by 7:30 p.m. That night.

The Aug. 31 release says Lakeridge Health is working with construction, municipal, provincial and health system partners to safely revitalize the hospital.

“Due to the complex nature of running a hospital including supporting operating rooms, medical equipment and medical gases needed to safely support patient care, restoring the site will be a significant undertaking,” reads the Lakeridge Health statement.

“Planning is underway to ensure access for the community, including working collaboratively with local physicians and partners to allow for surgeries, diagnostic tests and other procedures to occur as planned. Clinical staff and doctors from Port Perry Hospital will continue to support patients at other hospitals within our regional system in order to provide safe, quality care.”

Patients looking for information about cancelled or postponed appointments can call 1-833-681-9840.