The clock is ticking on the 170-year-old Waterford Hospital, as the gradual exodus of staff and services continues.

The vast majority of patients and staff went from the Waterford to the new mental health and addictions centre during a one-day move back in April.

And while in-patient and acute care are no more at the ancient structure, some staff and services continue to operate from the site as alternative accommodations are sought out.

Blood collection, for example, is expected to wind down by the end of this year, and various clinical teams will still work out of the Waterford while going into the community.

Those groups should be in new locations by the fall, while other non-clinical office staff will likely stay until next summer when the Waterford is due to close for good.

The health authority’s Steven Lockyer, a senior director of facilities and support services, says it will then be transferred back to the province, which has yet to say what might become of the property.

While the building itself turns 170 this year, Lockyer says for staff, the location never got old.

“It is very peaceful, it is very quiet, there’s easy access from the highway, so from their point of view the site had a lot to offer,” he said.