Projects continue during COVID-19 response
Teams across Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) have worked hard to support the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following provincial direction, this includes decreasing outpatient care, diagnostic services and non-emergency surgery, combined with moving as many non-acute patients as possible to community settings to free up hospital beds.
WLMH has played an important role in this COVID-19 capacity planning and preparations while maintaining important acute services for patients and the community. Staff and physicians have demonstrated flexibility, resilience and professionalism during this evolving situation.
Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, progress continues to be made on infrastructure projects and new hospital planning.
Designing a new WLMH
While staff, physicians and hospital leaders continue to focus on the response to COVID-19, plans remain on track to meet government submission timelines.
HHS’ Capital Planning team continues to work with Infrastructure Ontario, Ministry of Health, consultants, and other partners, to advance plans for the new hospital. As soon as it is safe and practical to do so, staff and physician user groups will come together to provide input on key components of the stage 2 submission. The ongoing leadership provided by provincial and local government partners to support this work is appreciated.
Contractors hitting milestones
Visitor restrictions in the hospital have impacted some internal work associated with infrastructure projects. However, outside the building, contractors are reaching project milestones, including:
• Commissioning the cooling tower
• Completing the wiring needed for the second generator
• Planning for lab upgrades
• Laying the concrete pad for the operating room(OR)/endoscopy area air handling unit, to be delivered on May 1, 2020.
Work also continues with the contractor to review and adapt plans for renovations, including OR and endoscopy.
CT scanner selected
The clinical team has completed the review process to select the type of CT scanner that will best serve the community. A consultant has been hired to design the space for the machine and work continues to move forward. Once plans are approved by the Ministry, and other infrastructure and OR renovations are complete, construction for the CT scanner suite will begin.
Thank you for your support!
We’re so grateful for our supportive community which continues to stand with our staff and physicians during this challenging time.