Since North York General Hospital (NYGH) opened in 1968, the hospital has supported more families along their birthing journey than any other community hospital in Ontario. That’s why they are the largest and most comprehensive maternal and newborn program at a community academic hospital in the province.
In the last 50 years, the capacity and breadth of services at NYGH has increased profoundly. However, their Post-Partum Unit has not received any substantial updates since the hospital opened, and their Labour & Delivery Unit has aged since its last renovation almost 20 years ago.
The hospital's aging physical space did not reflect the modern standard of comfort that their patients, babies, and families need and deserve. To meet these and other urgent needs, NYGH embarked on an ambitious redevelopment to transform their aging Labour & Delivery and Post-Partum Units into a modern, integrated Birthing Centre.
Compass was contracted as Construction Management partner to bring this vision to life. The entire 30,000 sq. ft. Birthing Centre has a de-institutionalized, hospitality-like feeling, with a focus on the patient experience. Renovated rooms comfortably accommodate Labour & Delivery, Recovery and Post-Partum care. The resigned space allowed NYGH to implement a new Integrated Electronic Documentation system that enables access to the most up-to-date patient information across all of their care areas.
During Pre-Construction, our upfront site investigations and working relationship with the Owner and Consultant teams played a large role in identifying risks early. This allowed us the time to determine multiple plans for the required renovation and upgrades, resulting in significant cost savings for the Owner. Our engagement during Schematic Design and Document Design phases ensured Value Engineering, schedule and logistical recommendations and constructability reviews were addressed and integrated into project documents prior to being issued to the sub-trade community.
This Birthing Centre Redevelopment vastly improves care environments and the patient and family experience by:
• Increasing the number of private rooms, creating more private space for mothers, babies, and their families;
• Supporting a Labour, Delivery, Recovery and Post-Partum (LDRP) model that allows families the flexibility and comfort to remain in the same space for the duration of their hospital stay;
• Creating fully accessible and inclusive spaces to support and welcome their culturally diverse community, including enhanced family space – patient lounge as well as in room sleep spaces;
• Enhancing access, capacity, and flow across care areas for both patients and the Clinical Team;
• Aligning with contemporary best-practice IPAC standards;
• Enhanced isolation practices to prevent and control infections; as well as
• Modern space for training the next generation of healthcare providers
Phasing Logistics:
This project was multi-phased and extremely complex as a result of NYGH not having available rooms to temporary relocate patients and the Clinical Team during construction. Without a decanting option, the Birthing Centre was successfully delivered in 4 phases, each with multiple sub-phases.
For each phase, Compass performed a site review plan to establish and ensure there was separation of Construction Zone from non-Construction Zone, including the implementation various IPAC Class IV procedures that were put in place from day one.
Further, Compass led the Patient and Visitor flow planning logistics within the Birthing Centre while under construction, incorporating hoarding logistics. This approach minimized disruptions to normal operations and patient care.
Through close coordination, we were able to address the strategic and operational requirements of NYGH. Having experienced representation and input from our project team allowed for a plan to be developed that was agreed to by NYGH and ensured neither patients, staff nor visitors were put at risk.
The revitalized Birthing Centre is part of an integrated Centre of Care at NYGH, reflective of their deep commitment to the diverse and complex needs of their patients and their families.
“Over the years, multiple Compass employees have chosen NYGH's Birthing Centre and their comprehensive maternity services - including this project's Site Supervisor. We are building for our neighbours, our families and our shared future,” said Compass Principal Bill Toulis.
