Timmins and District Hospital is set to undergo a significant transformation with the construction of a new and expanded emergency department (ED). The Ontario government has approved plans to renovate and enlarge the current ED, adding more than 27,000 square feet of space, which will quadruple its current size.
This expansion project, part of a larger initiative encompassing over 50 government-funded major hospital projects throughout the province over the next decade, aims to enhance the healthcare infrastructure. Health Minister Sylvia Jones highlighted that the revamped emergency department will feature 29 acute treatment spaces in a modernized setting, improved infection control measures, and a dedicated area for mental health emergencies to provide better support to those in need.
The Timmins and District Hospital, catering to approximately 110,000 individuals in the city and surrounding regions, currently receives around 43,000 patient visits annually at its emergency department. Dr. Kyle Harper, the chief of emergency medicine, emphasized the urgent need for expansion due to the ED operating at nearly double the provincial standard in terms of patient volume per square footage.
The upcoming redevelopment is seen as a crucial step in meeting the escalating healthcare demands, particularly in handling more complex cases ranging from mental health crises to chronic conditions like heart attacks and liver disease, exacerbated by the challenges posed by the pandemic. The Ministry of Health is collaborating with the hospital to finalize project plans, including determining the exact square footage required for the enhanced emergency department.
Furthermore, the Timmins hospital is slated to receive $1.89 million in funding from the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund in the 2025-26 fiscal year, with a significant portion designated as a one-time grant to address critical infrastructure needs. This financial support underscores the government’s commitment to improving healthcare facilities across the province.