Sunnybrook kicks-off construction of new Emergency Department and Regional Trauma Centre

TORONTO, ON - Thanks to the generous support of the Ontario government, donors, and the community, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre celebrated today the launch of construction for its expanded Emergency Department and Regional Trauma Centre.

With a total project cost of $62.6 million, the greatly needed expansion will double the size of the existing department, add additional medical imaging equipment and increase  stretcher bays from 30 to 48. These facilities will improve patient-flow at Sunnybrook and reduce ambulance off-loading delays. It is anticipated that the entire project will be completed by spring 2009. The provincial government has invested $34.6 million in the project and the hospital is fundraising for the balance.

"Our government is committed to making sure Ontarians have access to the very best health care facilities," Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman said. "This  expansion will enable Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre to continue its important role as one of the leading trauma centres in the country, providing quality life-saving care to  patients from across the province."

"I'm very proud of our government's investment in Sunnybrook's new Emergency Department and Regional Trauma Centre," said Kathleen Wynne, MPP for Don Valley West and Minister of Education. "I want to thank everyone for their hard work in making today's announcement a reality and providing our community with the best in advanced health care.

With this investment, more people will now receive the procedures they need, when they need them." "Today's announcement brings the Sunnybrook project one step closer to completion," said David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. "Through ReNew Ontario, the government's $30-billion plus infrastructure renewal plan, we are rebuilding  Ontario's infrastructure, and making the single largest investment in Ontario hospitals in well over a generation."

Sunnybrook is home to Canada's first and largest Trauma Centre and its Emergency Department cares for some of the most acutely-ill and criticallyinjured patients in Ontario. The department has twice the rate of patient admissions compared to any other ED in the Greater Toronto Area. "Sunnybrook is fortunate to have the most talented Trauma and Emergency Care staff in the world and they deserve to work in an environment that is truly state-of-the-art," said Leo Steven, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre President and CEO. "They have battled outbreaks, worked through floods and other disasters and have always provided excellent patient care. In the more than 30-years of our trauma program, Sunnybrook has managed to maintain a nearly 90 per cent survival rate for our patients who have been involved in some of the most horrific tragedies."

Designed by patients and staff members, the new Emergency Department will incorporate the latest infectious disease guidelines and have the ability to isolate rooms as well as entire patient care areas. Families of trauma victims will have a private area to await news of their loved ones and paramedics will have their own station for completing patient charts.

"Sunnybrook is proud to be there for our community when it matters most," says Virginia McLaughlin, Chair Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Board of Directors. "Our hospital is Ontario's safety-net and we are ready to respond whether there is a system-wide crisis such as pandemic influenza or someone in need of emergency care, we have the best people who will soon have one of the greatest facilities in the province. Thank you to the provincial government and our always supportive community for making this project a reality."

Bondfield Construction Company Limited has been onsite since June and the first phase of the project is well underway. This involves the construction of the new CT Scanner Suite and the excavation of the area between B and C Wings, which is preparing the space for the addition. Although there will be significant work taking place over the next couple of years, there will be no disruption to service in the ED or Trauma Unit.