OTTAWA — As part of its plan to build a stronger, more resilient health care system that is better prepared to respond to crisis, the Ontario government is investing another $29.1 million to expand The Ottawa Hospital’s future state-of-the-art Civic Campus, which will serve as the lead acute care centre for Ottawa, the Champlain Region and Nunavut. This is one of the largest planning grants in Ontario’s history and will make the hospital one of the largest and most advanced academic research hospitals in Canada, improving access to care for patients and families in the Ottawa region and beyond.
“After decades of inaction and underinvestment by previous governments, we are listening to the people of Ottawa and delivering the hospital that they deserve,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This investment will ensure The Ottawa Hospital is able to deliver the type of world class care that this growing region requires and will help build a more resilient health care system.”
In 2019, the government invested $9 million to support early planning for the new, multi-billion-dollar Civic Campus. Working closely with the province, The Ottawa Hospital has expanded the scope of this redevelopment which is planned to include more than 100 additional beds, bringing the total number of new beds to over 300. These beds will help to expand services, including acute care and the development of a specialty rehabilitation centre and referral centre, to ensure patients receive the care they need when they need it and closer to home.
Planning is also underway to include a cutting-edge trauma centre, a larger emergency department, an updated and expanded surgical suite, outpatient clinics and integrated research and education spaces to support the hospital’s teaching and research mandates.
“Supporting The Ottawa Hospital’s new and expanded Civic Campus is a vital part of our government’s plan to build a resilient health care system and end hallway health care in the Ottawa region,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment – one of the largest planning and design grants in Ontario’s history – will help patients and families access the care they need for generations to come.”
Ontario is working with The Ottawa Hospital on the next stage of the planning process, which includes identifying programming and operational requirements, and assessing how the project can further help address the health care needs of patients and families in the region. Based on early planning, the new multi-billion-dollar hospital is estimated to start construction in 2024, with timelines to be further refined as planning progresses.
“Investing in our health care system through new infrastructure like this state-of-the-art hospital in Ottawa will provide residents with a modern and safe environment to get the care they need and deserve,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “This new hospital expansion will support the growing communities and prepare our health care system for future pandemics and health crises. With a budget of $148 billion to support Ontario’s growth and infrastructure over the next decade, this is just one of the many projects our government is undertaking to build Ontario. It is great to be a part of a government that is spearheading investments in our hospitals and I am proud to be giving back to the city that I grew up in.”