Redevelopment: Frequently Asked Questions

For more information about Michael Garron Hospital's redevelopment project please contact: @email 

Why does Michael Garron Hospital's campus need to be redeveloped?

Although Michael Garron Hospital has always been recognized for its quality of care, we have been challenged in recent years by our aging facilities. Our spaces, many dating back nearly 70 years, were not designed to accommodate new technologies and equipment or to meet today's infection control standards. Michael Garron Hospital's redevelopment project will transform how we provide patient care and help us meet the needs of the community.

Some of the features of the Hospital's redevelopment project include:

  • 215 inpatient beds which will be larger and barrier-free
  • 80% of the new inpatient rooms will be single-patient rooms
  • Use of natural daylight
  • Clear signage
  • Four levels of underground parking
  • Green rooftops and lush community landscaping
  • Expansive vehicular drop off
  • Central food court and retail spaces
  • Co-located clinics for easy access
  • State of the art equipment and technology
  • Spacious and efficient clinical work spaces.
When will the redevelopment project be complete?

The Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre is currently scheduled to be completed in late 2022 or early 2023. Renovations throughout the hospital and demolition of A, B, C, F & D podium will take place from 2022 until 2024. The hospital will remain fully operational during this time.

Where does the funding for the redevelopment come from?

Funding for the facility is provided by both the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and Michael Garron Hospital. The hospital is required to contribute $125 million towards the $560-million total cost of the project, resources that are generated primarily through fundraising. That’s why we are looking to our community to join us in the historic transformation of our campus. To donate, or learn more about how you can get involved, visit the Michael Garron Hospital Foundation website.

What is alternative financing and procurement (AFP)?

Michael Garron Hospital's redevelopment project is being delivered using Infrastructure Ontario's Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model, an innovative way of financing and procuring large, complex public infrastructure projects. AFP makes the best use of private sector resources and expertise to provide on-budget and on-time project delivery.

Why is the Hospital not increasing the number of inpatient beds?

The Ministry of Health approves and funds the major components of our redevelopment. We have negotiated the project as it stands, which is to replace 215 inpatient medical/surgical and mental health beds and greatly increase the size of our ambulatory care clinics including new renal, cardiac care, and chest centre clinics. The Ministry of Health has not granted us permission to build and operate any additional services within the redevelopment project.

Why will the majority of beds be located in single rooms?

Health care design evidence indicates that single rooms enhance the patient environment through:

  • Improving patient safety
  • Reducing the risk of hospital acquired infections Improving rest and recovery
  • Providing greater privacy and dignity
  • Improving the quality of communication between healthcare staff and the patient and family/caregiver.
Will there be family/caregiver accommodations included in the new hospital?

Each patient room will provide a chair that folds out into a bed for someone to stay at the patient's bedside. Within waiting and exam rooms there will be extra seating available for family, friends and caregivers to be present.

Will staff, patient and visitor parking be affected as part of the redevelopment?

Parking will be restricted at certain points throughout the construction and we apologize in advance for this inconvenience. As always, we encourage staff, patients and visitors to take public transportation whenever possible and also check the parking section of our website for regular updates. Once complete, Michael Garron Hospital will have an increase of approximately 400 underground parking spaces for patients, staff and visitors.

Will the hospital close or reduce services during construction?

The hospital will remain fully functional throughout the construction period. There may be a period of time when the hospital is about to move into the Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre that we will have to temporarily reduce or ramp down services to facilitate smooth, safe transition of patients.

Will the facility be accessible to those with mobility limitations?

Michael Garron Hospital is committed to treating all people with respect, in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity at all times. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility wherever possible. As part of the redevelopment project, the new facility will meet and exceed the accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), CNIB and the Ontario Building Code (OBC).

Are there historic features that will be incorporated into the Hospital's redevelopment project?

Yes, the hospital will be preserving various historical elements including:

  • The stained glass memorial windows in the main Coxwell Lobby
  • The corner stones erected during various building phases
  • Memorial plaques located within the Coxwell Lobby
What are the hospital's plans for food & retail in the new facility?

Located just steps away from the new front lobby, the spacious new retail and food area will provide patrons with an array of food and beverage choices depending on their tastes and/or diet requirements. There will also be a large seating area for visitors to sit and enjoy their food with friends and family as well access to the hospital's volunteer run gift shop.

What are the hospital's plans for the landscaping?

The vision for Michael Garron Hospital's redevelopment landscape is a welcoming, communal space for all our staff, patients, visitors and greater community to enjoy. Some of the features may include: a children's play area, outdoor event space, and various species of trees, shrubbery and flowers, as well as a variety of seating areas. There will be an expansive U-shaped driveway to allow for ease in patient drop off as well as a walkway from the bus stop at Coxwell and Mortimer Avenues to the front entrance.

How can neighbours surrounding the hospital learn more about upcoming work?

To receive detailed notices about upcoming construction and potential disruptions, email @email and ask to be added to our Neighbour Notification Distribution List.

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