Bermuda Hospitals Board this afternoon unveiled a $315 million five-year plan for upgrading King Edward VII Memorial Hospital on the current site, part of a 25-year scheme to overhaul the ailing facility.

The cost will be carried by people needing care at KEMH – as fees are to rise by an unspecified amount over the next five years.

The phased plan, according to BHB CEO David Hill, will start with two new wings on either side of the current building and a central utility plant. A complete renovation of the existing facility will also be undertaken to extend its life.

One wing will comprise an Ambulatory Care Centre, with treatment for oncology, dialysis, asthma, diabetes. It will also serve as a base for visiting international specialists.

The second wing will be a patient tower including emergency services, some diagnostic equipment and 90 single-bed ensuite patient rooms.

Construction on the two wings will begin in two years after intense planning and a contractor is secured, and is expected to cost $260 million.

The renovations over the next five years will cost about $55 million. The upgrades will ensure that the KEMH has the 50 percent more space said to be needed to meet health care needs.

Yesterday Mr. Hill said: “BHB now has a 25-year plan to guide the sustainable development for our acute facilities in a way that is affordable for Bermuda, is structured into manageable-sized projects and meets a critical community mandate — to develop our acute care hospital on our existing site.

“While later stages can adapt to the climate and needs of the times, we have a very clear agenda for the next five years from Government to build two new wings for the hospital, a central utility plant and completely renovate the existing KEMH building so that we can extend its useful life.”

* For full report see The Royal Gazette tomorrow.