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Frequently Asked Questions

When will construction of the unit be completed?

• The unit is expected to be open by the end of the year.

How long will this structure be open for?

• We don’t have a set timeline yet, but we are aiming to have it open for as long as the hospital is in need of added capacity.

What is the structure type?

• The structure is a weatherized, insulated ‘sprung’ structure that will be equipped with heating, power, network and other services needed to support patient care.

What kind of care will patients receive in this facility?

• We are consulting with care teams throughout the hospital to determine the patient population who will receive care in this unit.
• A portion of the beds will be dedicated to ambulance offload beds, in order to help our paramedic partners transfer care of patients in a safe and efficient manner, and return to the community.

Will patients in this unit be allowed visitors?

• Patients and their family will be asked to monitor the latest visitor restrictions for The Ottawa Hospital, as they will apply to this area.

Does The Ottawa Hospital have enough staff for this additional unit?

• We are in the process of hiring more staff to help provide care in the various areas where the hospital has been mobilized to support the community in the response to COVID-19.

What will the interior structure look like? Will photos of the interior be shared publicly?

• The interior layout will be shared nearing or upon completion of the structure and set-up of care environment.

How much parking is being reduced due to this project?

• During construction, Grimes parking lot (P4): entire lot will be shut down (104 spots lost); street parking will be reduced by 4 spots; 6 spots removed at side closest to entrance to Grimes; 2 added closer to the Melrose/J-Building entrance, for a total loss of 4 parking spots.
• After construction, Grimes parking lot(P4): approximately 16 parking spots will be retained (88 spots lost); street parking TBD.

Is there a plan for alternative parking?

• We are working with the hospital’s Parking and Security teams to ensure that the parking spots taken up by this unit are distributed elsewhere, and that workarounds are found for patients being dropped off at the hospital.

Will this lead to more people trying to park on the street?

• During construction, an alternate offsite location has been provided to construction workers for parking to retain parking onsite for patients and staff. The construction site’s entrance/exit is from Carling Ave.
• The Ottawa Hospital is working closely with the Security and Parking Department to create additional parking capacity elsewhere on the campus.
• Patients will also have access to a drop-off area while construction begins.

Is there a plan for patients who come to Grimes Lodge or the Family Health Team for care?

• There will be a designated patient drop-off area during construction and once the unit is open.
• Alternative parking spaces, and routes to Grimes Lodge and the Family Health Team, are being created to ensure patients can safely access these areas.

Which entrances will be closed because of this unit?

• During construction, the East entrance leading into the Civic will be closed. The entrance leading into the J-Building will be accessible/intended for patients with appointments in the immediate vicinity (Grimes Building, Family Health Team, Plastics Clinic).
• After construction, the East entrance is expected to be opened with reduced traffic. The entrance leading into the J-Building has not been determined at this time.

Will this help with ambulance offload times?

• This will increase hospital capacity, and allow for more efficient patient flow throughout the hospital, it will also decrease wait times for patients in the Emergency Departments, as well as reduce ambulance offload times, and allow our paramedic partners to return to the community quickly.

Last updated on: November 12th, 2020