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Redevelopment includes new and refurbished facilities for optimal healing environment for patients and families

The Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Health Centre (MUHC) today unveiled its plans for the consolidation of its activities on two campuses — a modernized Mountain Campus and new facilities at the Glen Campus.

The MUHC Redevelopment Project takes into account the institution's patient care, teaching, research and technology assessment missions. Land preparation at the Glen Campus is underway and the first phase of construction will begin in the summer of 2006, for completion in 2010. The Mountain Campus is being systematically modernized during the same period.

"This is the blueprint that will allow us to provide our patients and their families with the best possible healing environment, while ensuring the continuum of care from newborns to adults," said Dr. Arthur T. Porter, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the MUHC. "All of our plans — rejuvenating the Mountain Campus and building new facilities at the Glen Campus — are focused on one thing: excellence. That's what our community deserves."

Highlights of the $1.1-billion redevelopment project include a majority of single-patient rooms, diagnostic and treatment facilities and ambulatory care pavilions, all designed to accommodate new and emerging medical technologies.

"The MUHC will attract the best of the best in the health care field — clinicians, other health care professionals, scientists and teachers," added Dr. Porter. "In addition to patient care, our vision is to create an environment that fosters academic excellence. We want to offer researchers the best tools to develop and discover the next generation of therapies as well as support the training of tomorrow's medical leaders."

Important elements of the project are underway, including soil remediation at the Glen Campus and the recent construction of three minimally invasive surgical suites at the Mountain Campus. Final municipal approval of zoning changes is expected this coming summer following public consultations. Roads and highways near the Glen Campus will be modified starting in the summer of 2005, and the public phase of the Capital Campaign will be launched in fall 2005.

The Mountain Campus will include one of the city's major adult trauma centres and all associated clinical services (including orthopedics, neurosciences, general medical and surgical services as well as mental health). It will feature facilities revamped for enhanced patient care, a new emergency department, and the most advanced operating theatres. The modern and sustainable "green" design will emphasize natural light, green spaces, rooftop terraces and new patient care units — a majority of which will be single-patient rooms to provide greater comfort, safety and privacy for patients.

The Glen Campus will be built in three phases. The first phase will see the construction of the Children's Hospital as well as the adult ambulatory cancer care centre, the eye centre, the first phase of the research institute and the planned Shriners Hospital. Phase two will include construction of the adult hospital and clinics. The third and final phase will deliver the remaining ambulatory clinics and day hospitals along with the final components of the research institute.

"The MUHC design takes into account a number of important factors that go above and beyond excellent patient care and modern research facilities," stated Mr. Yanaï Elbaz, Director, Planning & Implementation of the Redevelopment Program for the MUHC. "The Mountain Campus is a Montreal treasure. Everything we are proposing is inspired by its natural beauty and aims to give local citizens greater access to green spaces there.

"Patients and visitors will be able to gain access to the Glen Campus on foot, by vehicle or via public transit," Mr. Elbaz added. "Once inside our doors, patients and visitors will be able to find the care and services they're looking for easily and quickly in a user-friendly and efficient environment."

Funding for the $1.1-billion project is shared by the Quebec government ($800 million) and the MUHC ($300 million from private philanthropy and other governments).

The MUHC is a merger of five hospitals affiliated with Ï㽶ÊÓƵ: Royal Victoria, Montreal General, Montreal Children's and Montreal Neurological hospitals, and the Montreal Chest Institute.