The Ontario government announced a major investment of nearly $800 million for a new tower at the Toronto Western Hospital, part of the University Health Network (UHN). The new facility will increase the hospital’s capacity and enhance its services for complex neurological and orthopedic cases.
New tower to have 82 beds and 20 operating rooms
The new 15-storey tower, which is expected to be completed by 2028, will have 82 patient beds and 20 operating rooms. The project will also include renovations to the existing hospital building, such as upgrading the mechanical and electrical systems, improving the accessibility and infection prevention and control measures, and creating more space for ambulatory care and diagnostic imaging.
The new tower will increase the hospital’s surgical capacity by 20 per cent, allowing it to perform more procedures and reduce wait times for patients. The hospital is known for its expertise in treating complex neurological and orthopedic conditions, such as brain tumours, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, and arthritis. The new tower will also support the hospital’s research and education activities, as well as its partnerships with other health care providers and community organizations.
Ontario government commits $794 million for the project
The Ontario government is investing $794 million for the new tower project, after previously providing a $34 million planning grant. The project is part of the government’s plan to build and expand hospitals across the province, with a total investment of $30.2 billion over the next 10 years.
Premier Doug Ford said the new tower will help provide modern and high-quality care to the more than 450,000 people who visit Toronto Western Hospital each year. “In Toronto and right across the province, our government is making historic investments for a stronger health care system, with more doctors and nurses, more beds and shorter wait times. We’re bringing convenient care closer to home for more people,” he said in a press release.
UHN president praises the investment
UHN president and CEO Dr. Kevin Smith praised the investment and said it will enhance Toronto Western Hospital’s ongoing work on complex neurological and orthopedic cases. “UHN’s Toronto Western Hospital has served Toronto and, increasingly, the province for more than 100 years,” he said in the press release. “Our surgical teams perform some of the most advanced surgical procedures to treat the most complex patients.”
Smith also thanked the hospital’s staff, physicians, volunteers, donors, and partners for their dedication and support. He said the new tower will help the hospital continue to deliver excellent care, research, and education for the benefit of the patients and the community.
