THUNDER BAY— After more than a decade in development, work is now underway building the region's first cardiovascular surgery unit.
Officials, staff, dignitaries and community members met at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Tuesday to celebrate progress on the construction of the new cardiac wing.
“It's really about bringing to Thunder Bay the quality of care that exists across the other regions of the province,” said Thunder Bay—Attikokan MPP Holland.
With the Ontario government providing $93 million, it’s a historic moment for Northwestern Ontario, Holland said.
“We're going to be able to have this life saving surgery here in Thunder Bay where family can still be around,” said Holland. “Loved ones can support the patients, and we don't have to travel those 1000 kilometres to receive that care.”
The new unit will include 14 surgery inpatient beds, six new coronary care unit beds, and a new hybrid operating room. Hospital CEO and president Rhonda Crocker-Ellacott said the new 76,000 square foot unit will be a game changer healthcare throughout the region.
“I'm just so proud,” she said. “This is really the last piece of the puzzle Health Sciences Centre to provide the full spectrum of care and services to our community and our region.”
Construction for the unit is expected to take around three years, and won’t be patients will not be accepted until the spring of 2028, said Crocker-Ellacott.
“Staff don't just miraculously flip on the lights and then start providing cardiac surgery,” she said.
“There will be a lot of upfront operational training and mock cases, that sort of thing, in order to make sure that we're ready. And when we're ready, we will be providing surgery the same as if we were operating for 10 years.”
In the meantime, construction will impact parking at the hospital.
A portion of Ron Saddington Way will be closed. Visitors won't be able to access the hospital's main entrance however they will be able to use the West Entrance.
The pick-up and drop-off area has been relocated to the Medical Centre loop, the bear lot will also be closed during this time.
Updates on construction and information on parking can be found on the hospital website and on its social media pages.
