Patients and staff await major upgrades at Juravinski Hospital, set to begin 2028

Joe Harte, a patient at Juravinski Hospital for the last two and a half weeks, describes his experience as “deplorable and degrading.” He recounts spending three nights in a hallway, unable to sleep or maintain hygiene. “You have to wash yourself on a bedpan, with nothing covering you up,” he said. For Harte, having his own room would offer much-needed privacy, which is one of the main goals of the hospital’s major renovation project.

Neil Johnson, a hospital spokesperson, acknowledges the challenges posed by the hospital’s aging infrastructure. “Our E and F wings are 70 years old; the M wing is over 100 years old,” he explained. “Clinical medicine is a lot different now than it was 100 years ago. The current setup doesn’t meet the needs of patients in terms of privacy or the equipment we use.” The hospital’s plans include larger hallways, new elevators, and improved heating and ventilation, addressing these concerns.

The renovation will also address patient privacy issues, with all rooms in the new inpatient ward set to be private. This change is expected to improve infection control and patient comfort. “Every room will be private, which is crucial for preventing the spread of disease,” Johnson said.

For hospital staff, like nurse Joshua Powell, the cramped spaces and lack of adequate facilities have made daily tasks challenging. “It’s been a bit of a struggle, with cramped spaces and obstacles in the way. Even the washrooms are difficult to navigate,” Powell said. However, he is optimistic about the future: “I’m ecstatic to see this new building. I can’t wait for it.”

One of the most urgent concerns is the hospital’s lack of adequate shower facilities. Currently, there is only one shower room available for 39 patients on the unit, and staff say it is sometimes used as a storage room due to space limitations. With the new developments, each room is expected to have its own shower, improving patient care and privacy.

The project, expected to carry a hefty price tag of over $2 billion, is the largest health infrastructure investment in the hospital’s history. Local funding for equipment could reach as high as $300 million, Johnson noted.

The expansion will add 100 more beds to the hospital, and construction is set to begin in 2028.