VIDEO: Building Providence Care Hospital

Staff’s Comments and Our Responses

Michael Ross, Director of Redevelopment for the new Providence Care Hospital, responded to several important comments and concerns from staff members.

If you have a question or comment, feel free to e-mail: info@providencecare.ca

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Christina Scott comments:

“I wanted to share that I hope in our new parking lot that there are parking spaces close to the building that are not necessarily handicap, but designated for those who are attending the geriatric programs, both medicine/Specialized Geriatrics and Geriatric Psychiatry.

I also feel that for those members of community teams that use their own cars for travel that spaces should be designated close to the building. We are in and out and carry things and shouldn’t be spending our time walking in parking lots, as our time is best served spending it with clients.”

Christina Scott
Outreach Assessor
Specialized Geriatric Services
Providence Care, St. Mary’s of the Lake site

Michael Ross answers:

“In preparing our Project Specific Output Specifications (PSOS) we will be endeavouring to assemble all of the important needs and design features that will be required of every element of our building, which very much includes site development. The more information and guidance to the Design/Builders, the better the result will be. In that regard, these comments are very helpful and you can be sure that we will be incorporating requirements related to the configuration of our parking into the PSOS.

Thanks for taking the time to forward these recommendations.”

Michael H. Ross
Director, Redevelopment Project
Providence Care Hospital

Alison Filteau comments:

“Under the heading ‘Building Layout and Design’ someone asked about where a coffee shop would be located. Although your response was non-committal, I would like to provide you with feedback. I worked at the Queensway-Carleton Hospital in Ottawa, which under took a considerable expansion plan. In the new building they included a coffee shop. Although it was convenient for families and staff, the garbage it created was incredible. Half filled cups of coffee left on tables and windowsills throughout the hospital, empty paper cups, tops, napkins thrown down on the floor, which created considerable additional work for the Housekeeping Department. The hospital had a full service cafeteria that was open and to all, so coffee was available. For some reason, a coffee shop seemed to generate much more garbage.”

Alison Filteau
Spiritual Care Associate
Spiritual Care, Mission and Ethics
Providence Care, St. Mary’s of the Lake site

Michael Ross answers:

“Your comment on the potential issues related to putting a coffee shop into our lobby was forwarded to me. Clearly in order to enter into an operational lease with any company we will need to be vigilant related to potential issues such as this, and I appreciate you bringing these particular issues to our attention. The work we do over the next few months in creating our Project Specific Output Specifications (PSOS) will seek to identify important issues in all areas of the hospital, and it is definitely a situation where the more information we can gather on all aspects of the design of the building, the better the outcome will be. These comments are very helpful in that regard. Thanks again for making us aware of these points.”

Michael H. Ross
Director, Redevelopment Project
Providence Care Hospital

A Concept Drawing from the Architects

This image is taken from a June 2011 public presentation by Stantec Architecture Ltd, the firm who worked with Providence Care to develop the master plan for the new hospital. The concept shows a possible layout for Providence Care Hospital, where inpatient units have maximum views to the waterfront, and there is room for future expansion on the site. At this early stage in the planning, this drawing is not finalized and will be refined over the coming months as Providence Care works with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Infrastructure, the City of Kingston and other partners.

Part IV: Redevelopment Q & A

A group at the Public Consultation Meeting writing down their suggestions for the Redevelopment Project.

The following questions were raised by staff and community members at Staff Forums and the Public Consultation Session in June 2011.

 

What services will be provided in the new hospital?  How many beds will there be for each program? Have you considered future population needs?

 

Providence Care Hospital will provide complex continuing care, palliative care, specialized geriatrics, rehabilitation and specialized mental health (adult treatment and rehabilitation, geriatric psychiatry and forensic psychiatry).  These are the programs currently provided at St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital and Mental Health Services.             

Bed breakdown:

Complex Continuing Care (includes palliative and specialized geriatrics) – 100

Rehabilitation – 50

Specialized Mental Health – 120

Part of the Master Program/Master Plan process has been to consider the needs of our region over both the short and long term.  These numbers have been developed with those considerations in mind, and by using a formula that takes into account demographics and other population-related statistics.  The new hospital will also be designed so there is flexibility, and options for future expansion. 

How will patients and clients be involved in the hospital design process?

Our patients and clients have an important voice and perspective to share as we design Providence Care Hospital. Already, we have presented to Patient Council at St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital, and met with a community group representative of agencies who work with mental health clients. We plan to continue to these conversations, and look for more opportunities to consult with patients and clients as the process moves forward.  All members of the public are invited to provide feedback and comments about our redevelopment project.

What will happen to the existing MHS building when the new Providence Care Hospital is built?

The existing building will be torn down and the land re-landscaped around the new hospital. Part of the current building may be impacted before construction is complete on the new facility.  It will depend on where the new hospital is located on the property relative to the existing MHS building.  The safety and comfort of our patients and clients will remain a key priority throughout the process.  This may mean that some units are transferred temporarily to other areas of the current MHS facility.

Part III: Redevelopment Q & A

Master Plan and Block Plan Study

The following questions were raised by staff and community members at Staff Forums and the Public Consultation Session in June 2011.

 

Will there be space in the new hospital for retail or other revenue-generating opportunities?

 

Yes.  At this stage, we are exploring what retail stores (such as a café) could be present in the new hospital, and this is reflected in our planning documents.  We are also considering how our educational and meeting room space might be used by the broader community, and whether with the right building design, this might be an opportunity for the organization to generate revenue to support our programs and services.

 

Will Providence Care Hospital be air-conditioned?

 

Great question for these hot summer days!  Yes, the new hospital will be air-conditioned throughout, to ensure the comfort of patients, clients, visitors, staff and volunteers when it is warm outside.

What are the plans for the rest of the King Street West property?

The Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (formerly Infrastructure Ontarioand the Ontario Realty Corporation) is in the process of completing a Master Plan study for the land at King St. West, referred to as the Kingston Provincial Campus.  For more information on this process, visit: http://www.ontariorealty.ca/Major-Projects/Kingston-Provincial-Campus/Community-Engagement.htm

What type of parking will be built at the new hospital – surface, parking garage or underground?

A final decision has not been made, but we are considering a surface parking lot, which is the least costly option. Constructing and maintaining parking lots at public hospitals is not funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.  Many hospitals implement parking fees to help cover the expense.

Part II: Redevelopment Q & A

Discussions at the table.

The community's input.

 

The following questions were raised by staff and community members at Staff Forums and the Public Consultation Session in June 2011.

 

Can the doorways and hallways be “extra-wide” to accommodate wheelchairs and scooters?

Yes!  The new hospital will be built according to accessibility standards, and to ensure we are able to meet the needs of our patients, clients and their families.  At this stage in the planning process, we have also talked about wider hallways as having added benefit for staff as well.  There may be areas where a large corridor makes it easier for two or three people to stop and have a short discussion, or more enjoyable to walk from one area of the hospital to another.

Where will the different programs, services and departments be located?

The exact location of programs, services and departments in the new building is not yet decided. Generally, we are working with a strategy to locate “public” services nearer to the main entrance. These would include Volunteer Services, the Providence Care Foundation and the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, various education or multipurpose spaces, and perhaps some retail space.  Outpatient clinics, the Day Hospital and other clinical areas may also be located nearer to the main entrance, so that they’re more accessible to those patients and clients who are only at the hospital for a short period of time.

Inpatient clinical areas will be located farther away from the main entrance, to provide increased privacy for patients and clients.  Inpatient dining areas, living space and treatment areas will be located on the units.

Other spaces, such as the cafeteria, the pool, and administration, will be located so that they are accessible both for public and inpatient populations.

Will parking be free?

The cost to build and maintain parking areas at hospitals is not covered by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and therefore there will be a fee to park at the new facility. This is consistent with other hospitals and public buildings inKingston.  We are also hoping to work with the City to integrate municipal bus service to the site.

Part I: Redevelopment Q & A

Chart paper filled with questions and comments from staff and community members.

The following questions were raised by staff and community members at Staff Forums and the Public Consultation Session in June 2011.

What “green” or “environmentally-friendly” technology will be incorporated into the new hospital?

One of the key planning principles in designing Providence Care Hospital is to be environmentally responsible. That means that we are considering everything from the overall footprint of the facility and the energy it will require to operate, to the types of materials that will be used to build it.  At this stage in the planning, we have made the commitment that the new hospital will meet a “LEED Silver” standard. Specific design elements will be determined as the planning continues. [ Link: What is LEED? ]

Will the new hospital have a public entrance (for patients, clients and visitors) and a staff entrance?

The main entrance toProvidence Care Hospital will be accessible from the parking area and will lead into the front lobby of the new building. Our strategy is to locate services which may be used by the patients/clients, the public and staff (such as the gift shop, Foundation, and education space) in this area of the facility. Outpatient clinics may also be near to the front entrance.

There will also be designated entrances for patients and clients arriving at the hospital by patient transfer, or to the Forensics program specifically, as well as for shipping and receiving.  The precise number of entrances and their locations will be determined as the planning continues.

Will the staff work environment include office space or cubicles?

There will be a mixture of offices and open space work environments in the new hospital, in keeping with the provincially-accepted standards.

Will there be large space indoors and outdoors for hospital-wide recreation programs?

Our current planning includes a large lecture/event space, as well as a cafeteria and outdoor eating area. More specific planning of these spaces will be determined as the planning continues.