Western Health Receives Feedback on New Acute Care Hospital through Mock-up Rooms
Western Health’s clinical teams, patient advisors and partners had the opportunity to review layouts and inform the design of clinical space in the new acute care hospital over the past week. Mock-up rooms were set up in Corner Brook up for two rounds of feedback in June 2020 and April 2021 to give stakeholders the opportunity to experience the look, feel and function of our new hospital.
“We are excited that our clinical teams, patient advisors and partners have had the opportunity to tour the mock-up rooms and continue to inform decisions on the construction of vital areas in the new hospital,” said Michelle House, interim CEO of Western Health. “Throughout the design process, individuals from many areas within our organization and our stakeholders have embraced the opportunity to work together to ensure the new facility meets the needs of our region.”
Western Health clinical teams toured the mock-up rooms to examine the space and determine how they will function. Teams were able to better understand how the new hospital will be different from the current setup at Western Memorial Regional Hospital. For example, surgeons and operating room nurses reviewed the mock-up operating room and moved equipment around as they would for various procedures. Environmental services conducted time trials to determine how the new footprint of private rooms with dedicated bathrooms will influence future staffing requirements.
Engagement with stakeholders has been a very important part of hospital planning. Western Health continues to provide regular updates to and receive feedback from various stakeholders throughout the planning process. In addition, a survey was open to the public to help select colours and wayfinding symbols for the new hospital in January of this year.
The new acute care hospital in Corner Brook is a seven-story, 55,741 square-meter facility and will have 164 beds. It will provide the same services currently available at Western Memorial Regional Hospital, as well as an expanded cancer care program with radiation services.