“The future of health care is tremendously exciting within the City of Ottawa. The development of our new Civic Campus gives us an opportunity like none other to transform health care for generations to come.”
– Cameron Love, President & CEO, The Ottawa Hospital
Site proposal highlights
The Ottawa Hospital’s new campus development will be located on Carling Avenue next to Dow’s Lake. The new hospital will be the major referral centre for Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec and Nunavut, and the Eastern Ontario Trauma Centre. As one of Canada’s largest acute care learning and research hospitals, the new campus will provide a full range of specialized services, research and education for those with the most complex injuries and illness.
Details
- 641 beds.
- 5,000+ employees.
- 2.5 million sq. ft on a 50-acre site.
- The most advanced trauma centre in Eastern Ontario.
- A world-class facility that will attract health care professionals, researchers and students from around the world.
- A one-patient, one bedroom, one-bathroom model for better infection prevention and control, better privacy and better rest.
- One of the most innovative neuroscience research programs in the world.
- Research and education integrated into the design to ensure patients benefit from the most advanced and innovative technologies and therapies.
- A transit-oriented site, pedestrian and cyclist safe, accessible, with enclosed walkways and greenspace.
- ‘Smart’ interactive, accessible communication technology.
Holistic Sustainability
- The development is based on a hybrid of leading sustainability models, including the National Capital Commission’s Sustainable Development Strategies, the One Planet Living framework, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, and the WELL Building Standard.
- Fosters active, social human experience to promote good health, well-being and happiness.
- A safe environment for pedestrian and cycling routes.
- Promotion of diversity, inclusion, and equity in employment and training.
- Environmental gains: cleaner air, reduced energy demand, renewable energy technology, low-carbon fuel sources, a future-proof design to work towards ‘Net-Zero Ready.’
Universal Accessibility
- Will exceed Ontario’s Health Care Accessibility Standards.
- Will take into account the new AODA Health Care Standards – 2021 initial recommendations report.
- All washrooms in all areas of the facility will be universally accessible.
- The hospital will be easily accessible by enclosed walkways, escalators and moving sidewalks.
- Para-Transpo, taxis, valets and other alternatives available at the main and emergency entrances.
- Short-term and accessible parking available at the main and emergency entrances.
- The Carling Avenue and Preston Street intersection will be re-designed, in compliance with the City of Ottawa Protected Intersection Design Guide, for accessible, safer cycling and pedestrian routes.
- Restricted access ambulances and emergency vehicles are the only ones permitted to use Maple Drive.
Accessing the site
The main entrance will be accessed directly off Carling Avenue, up the escarpment to arrive at a circular drive drop-off at the front door. Directly below the front door, under a covered green roof, will be the Emergency Department entrance, one floor beneath grade, for patient drop-off and triage. Covered and protected temporary parking will be available for Emergency patients and visitors.
Ambulance traffic will use separate, dedicated access routes the lead directly to the protected Emergency garage.
The Dow’s Lake light rail transit station will be connected to the site by a covered, accessible walkway. This walkway will also connect the research tower, medical office buildings, and the green-roofed parking garage on the lower portion of the site, so that people can move safely and comfortably through the site.
Inside the new hospital
The main entranceway will feature a central light well with double-storied glass, letting in an abundance of natural light. Intuitive wayfinding will help people move through the entrance to their destination within the hospital. Frequently used services such as pharmacy, medical imaging, patient registration, ambulatory care specimen collection centre, and other programs will be housed near the entrance.
The seven-floor north tower and eleven-floor south tower will bracket the atrium and will house outpatient care clinics and inpatient units. The helipad will sit on top of the south tower with dedicated trauma elevators that reach all floors, particularly the Emergency Department, surgical suites, diagnostic and interventional imaging, and critical care.
The lower floor will include the loading docks, materials management, segregated soiled and clean distribution areas, food services, environmental services – all components that will serve each of the different departments.
Robotic technology will support transportation workers and other staff. Goods and services will come across the basement floor and be transported up high-speed traction elevators with the least amount of disruption or crossover with the public.
Elevator lobbies will serve the public and the staff in a way that allows for maximum flexibility for the floor plates in the future. Front-of-house traffic will be segregated for the public, whereas back of house traffic will be reserved for staff, services, and patient transfers. As health-care services change in the future, the building can readily adapt to new demands.
