Unity Health Toronto – St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto has a $5 million commitment from the province to begin planning a major redevelopment project. Tuesday’s announcement is part of a $27 billion plan to expand hospital infrastructure across Ontario over the next 10 years.
When complete, this project will include a new patient tower and renovations to the existing facility to expand integrated health care services and reduce wait times.
“Our government is building much-needed capacity by investing in major hospital infrastructure projects like the redevelopment of St. Joseph’s Health Centre,” Health Minister Christine Elliott said, announcing the funding. “This project will reduce wait times and help more patients and families in southwest Toronto and beyond access the coordinated care they need in a modern, state-of-the art facility.”
The new infrastructure is expected to increase access to new and emerging technologies that will support better patient outcomes. The proposed redevelopment project includes:
- Construction of a new clinical services tower;
- Infrastructure upgrades to existing hospital facilities;
- A new and expanded emergency department;
- Expanded medical and surgical inpatient programs;
- Adult, child and adolescent mental health programs; and
- Outpatient procedures unit and clinics.
“Next year will mark 100 years of St. Joseph’s Health Centre providing care in west-end Toronto,” said said Dr. Tim Rutledge, President and CEO of Unity Health Toronto.
“As we enter into our next century of service, we are looking forward to the impact this funding will have in reimagining how we will provide the best possible care experiences in the future.”
Elliott says the $5 million planning grant is higher than average because the St. Joe’s site will create unique challenges. Because there is no additional land to build on, the hospital will need to remain functional while the redevelopment and expansion is completed.
Unity Health Toronto has three sites: Providence Healthcare; St. Joseph’s Health Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital. St. Joe’s is a Catholic community teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.
The Ministry of Health will work with Unity Health Toronto to develop a budget for the redevelopment of the St. Joseph’s Health Centre.