The Communication Centre is the reception desk that will welcome patients and visitors at every unit entrance.

West Park's "Pandemic-Ready" Hospital

West Park featured on 640 News
COVID-19’s Omicron variant has heightened our awareness of the quality of air we breathe at home, work and school.

With the new hospital opening next year and West Park’s renowned work in respiratory care, Shelley Ditty, Vice-President of Campus Development and Support Services, was invited onto the Kelly Cutrara Show on AM640 Toronto on January 13.

Ditty commented on whether HEPA filters are enough to prevent the Omicron variant and shared how West Park’s new facility will set a new standard in HVAC. Listen to the lve interview with Shelley here

Our robust HVAC system
Even before the pandemic was a concern, West Park designed its new facility to be a pandemic-ready hospital, in part, because of its innovative Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system that will circulate 100 per cent fresh air into the building. 

By comparison, older, typical HVAC systems take air from the exterior (heat or cool it) and recirculate it back into the ventilation system, with only about 40 per cent exhausted to the outside. By ensuring only 100 per cent fresh air is pumped in from the outdoors rather than recirculated air, more pathogens will be removed from the building, leading to cleaner air. 

West Park is also the only Canadian hospital that has specially designed two 10-Bed tuberculosis (TB) in-patient pods with a separate, dedicated HVAC system. The TB unit can be converted to serve those with other severe respiratory illnesses should the need arise.

In addition, there will be one Airborne Isolation Room (AIR) on every unit throughout the hospital to further contain any airborne pathogens in the new facility. 

Watch how West Park’s new HVAC system will work here 

Construction Highlights

Progress on the Interiors
With the focus now on the interior of the new facility, progress can be seen on every level.  

On the first and second floors, the outline of the Communication Centres (nursing stations) is the first point of contact as you enter the inpatient units. It can be identified by a large, open area with a curved ceiling bulkhead.

Elsewhere, drywall is also being installed in the corridors along with door frames to every room. Within the patient rooms, the headwalls are also being equipped with oxygen, vacuum, electrical outlets, lighting, code blue (emergency) buttons, etc.

South Entrance Canopy
With a wide turning-circle at the end, Buttonwood Avenue will become a cul-de-sac on our property and lead to the South Entrance of the new hospital. 

The South Entrance will primarily be used for ambulances and other transportation vehicles to transfer patients discreetly into or out of the hospital, offering patients more privacy and dignity. For ease, Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Day Program patients will also use the South Entrance to attend their programs, which is located adjacent to the entryway. 

This month, a long canopy was installed outside the South Entrance, which will shield patients from the sun and rain.

Elevator 9 In-Use
A materials hoist (temporary external elevator) was removed from the construction site. Elevator 9, the service elevator in the North Inpatient Block, will be the first elevator in-operation in the new building and used to move workers and materials from one level to another. 

Installing Storm Lines on North-South Road 
EllisDon installed storm lines beneath the future North-South Road that runs between Buttonwood Ave. and the East-West Road. View the future campus road network here

See the Action

Photo Gallery
A Walk Around the Acquired Brain Injury Behavioral Service (2 min 42)
A Look at the New Therapy Pool (2 min 16)
Outpatient Services and Gym (1 min 3)