St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s is in the worst physical condition of any hospital in the province according to a grading system used by the provincial government.

The Infrastructure Approval Process consists of four stages before the actual build.

Government uses what’s called the Facility Condition Index (FCI) to help determine when it would be more cost-efficient to replace rather than keep and maintain. St. Clare’s scored 53, the lowest of any hospital in the province, but government officials were unable at a briefing yesterday to immediately provide information on the physical condition scores of other hospitals.

The former Grace Hospital site nearby is being considered – but remediation would be in the millions. As that is money which would have to be spent regardless of the status of St. Clare’s, it’s highly unlikely that any other site will be considered – certainly not “Hospital Square” off the Parkway.

It would take about five years to build the replacement and there will be an opportunity for stakeholders—including the general public and unions – to have input into the design of the new hospital.