A new generation of health care projects in full swing

Building new health care facilities and updating existing ones is a cornerstone of the important work that Infrastructure Ontario delivers across the province. Over the past two decades, a major part of IO’s success has been delivering critical health care projects and renewing an aging fleet of hospitals across Ontario. Today, we are in the midst of delivering on a new generation of hospital projects in new and innovative ways.

“Building a new health care facility is often considered a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Adel Nekhil, Director of Project Delivery. “So it’s exciting when we get to see how our work on these projects benefits communities across Ontario.”

IO works closely with our public and private sector partners to deliver state-of-the-art health care facilities, with more than 50 health care projects across Ontario delivered to date and many more currently in the planning, procurement and construction stages.

Building better care

Our health care projects help improve patient care and provide positive outcomes in a variety of ways. Many projects focus on expanding access to emergency services, maternal and newborn services, ambulatory care, and building new diagnostic, surgical, and rehabilitation units – such as the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital redevelopment project. Currently in the construction phase, this project involves building a new, larger hospital on the property behind the existing facility to serve the West Niagara community for years to come. Construction is expected to be complete in winter 2025.

The Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital, currently in the development phase, will replace the existing Mississauga Hospital and create a modern healthcare facility with a new and expanded emergency department. The project features modern hospital technology that reflects the latest standards in infection prevention and control, and will ultimately improve access to care for patients and families in the region for generations.

Focus on mental health

Another common thread involves supporting mental health care for adults, youth, and children. The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa recently unveiled the planned design of the 1Door4Care: CHEO Integrated Treatment Centre project, which will feature a new 6-storey, approximately 200,000 square feet building. The new facility will be connected by a link to the main hospital. Expected to be completed in 2028, the new treatment centre will offer services for children and youth living with complex medical, developmental, behavioural or mental health needs.

In Toronto, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Phase 1D Redevelopment project recently held a groundbreaking event to mark the start of construction. When complete, this project will transform CAMH’s ability to provide care and carry out research, including a new state-of-the-art Secure Care and Recovery building. This space will include increased bedded capacity to support the forensic mental health program, enclosed outdoor areas to support recovery, and a dedicated family visitation area in the inpatient units, in addition to outpatient services and security and building support services.

Creating space for healing

Connecting indoor and outdoor environments to ultimately improve patients’ experiences is another key focus for many of today’s health care projects. This vision was a key component of the Michael Garron Hospital - Phase 1 New Patient Care Tower project, which features two new outdoor terraces: one open to staff, patients, caregivers and visitors and the other built specifically for mental health patients and their families. Both outdoor spaces are fully accessible, support therapeutic care and provide a chance to be in a natural environment while in a hospital setting.

The West Park Healthcare Centre redevelopment project, completed in fall of 2023, features an abundance of green space with therapeutic gardens, walking paths and terraces on every floor. Unique outdoor therapy courtyards, sensory gardens and a network of multi-surface paths now create a sustainable connection to nature across the hospital.

Care that’s close to home

In many communities, IO’s health care projects mean increased access to care closer to home. This in turn can improve patient wait times and provide better environments for recovery. In the north, the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) Redevelopment project is testament to this. Construction is scheduled to start later this year on a new hospital and elder care lodge in Moosonee, and a new ambulatory care centre on Moose Factory Island. Once complete, these modern facilities will support WAHA in providing exceptional, culturally sensitive healthcare to patients and clients living along Ontario’s James Bay and Hudson Bay coasts, many of whom are Indigenous.

Similarly, the new South Niagara Hospital currently under construction will be an integral part of Niagara Health’s connected healthcare system, designed to centralize services from existing facilities, making it easier for residents to access the care they need at one location.