A campaign to raise $40 million for a down payment on the new hospital wing is still well short of its target — with the deadline for payment just two weeks away.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) has to come up with the lump sum by June 14, two days after it receives the keys to the acute care facility. So far the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust has collected a little over $30 million through its Why It Matters fundraising drive and the BHB will have to make up any shortfall when it takes over the facility.

The wing, which is scheduled to open in September at a cost of $247 million, houses three wards which can each accommodate 30 patients in single rooms.

Earlier this month, Trust executive director Ralph Richardson said he was confident the $40 million target could be reached.

But Premier Michael Dunkley has now warned that, while the looming deadline was a “time for us to get excited”, it was also time for “a reality check”.

And he called on fellow Parliamentarians and the country for one last push to help the Trust achieve its goal, pointing out that “every dollar counts”.

Speaking in the House of Assembly on Friday, Mr Dunkley said: “We are less than four months away from opening the new acute care wing of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, and less than one month away from the keys being handed over to BHB.

“The key handover is an important marker. It marks substantial completion of the facility and the end of major construction. It is the time when BHB can start ensuring everything is in place and working to the specifications set out at the start of the project, make sure any outstanding minor deficiencies are dealt with, start orientation and training of staff before a final clinical clean takes place and finally — in September — transferring the patients and opening services to the public.

“This is an exciting moment for Bermuda and its healthcare service. In September we are going to have access to a wonderful, high quality facility where we will receive our acute care services.

“The key handover on June 12 is the last major milestone ahead of the opening of the new wing to the public in September. It is time for us to get excited, but it is also a reality check. The key handover also marks the point at which payments commence to the private partner, Paget Healthcare Services.

“The Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust has been tirelessly fundraising over the last few years to raise $40 million for the down payment. The Why It Matters Campaign run by the Trust for this purpose has raised over $30 million. Donors include individuals and companies, local groups and international business. I would like to thank every single person and company who has made a donation. Every dollar counts.

“But we need to help the Trust, and the hospital, to that final target. The beneficiaries of us reaching that target, after all, is every one of us, our loved ones, our families and friends. This is the people’s hospital. We will all benefit from the new wing. And our donations today will help ensure the target is met.

“I would urge every member of the House, and every member of the community to donate. The support of every member of this House will show the leadership that we have been elected to demonstrate. It is the time for each of us to stand with our hospital and take ownership of the place we go to in times of illness or after accidents. It is the time for each of us to encourage this entire community to come together in support of our hospital.”

A BHB spokesman confirmed the board will be responsible for topping up the Trust’s contribution, but added that funds donated after the deadline were “still critically important”.

“They will help recover the amount paid by BHB from its available funds and this will enable BHB to focus its funds as required on equipment, operations and capital projects, as well as meet BHB’s monthly payments which also start after service commencement,” the spokesman said.

Donations can be made online at www.bhct.com or to discuss a donation directly with the Trust call 295-2428.