Mock-up rooms have been assembled for the new 102-bed adult mental health and addictions hospital in St. John’s to allow clinical staff to provide feedback on the functionality of the rooms while construction is ongoing.
During visits this winter and spring, the rooms have provided staff of the Departments of Transportation and Infrastructure and Health and Community Services, Eastern Health, the Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Council, and the Recovery Council with the opportunity to review the layout of key areas within the facility before they are constructed. Based on these reviews, the design can be modified so that the hospital will better meet the needs of patients, staff, and the public.
The design-builder has assembled realistic mock-ups of patient care unit spaces, such as:
- A patient bedroom, including an ensuite patient washroom and ceiling track lifts;
- A portion of the corridor outside of the bedroom, including a clinical hand wash sink for infection prevention and control;
- A nursing station area, which is designed to promote engagement with patients and includes an accessible height counter for individuals using wheelchairs; and
- A therapeutic quiet room, which is a secure room designed for high acuity patients requiring constant supervision.
These fully constructed mock-up rooms include furniture, working lighting, accessories, mechanical, electrical and plumbing devices and fixtures, equipment and all proposed materials included in the design of the room.
The latest work on the 240,000 square foot, six-storey hospital includes the construction and installation of the structural steel, concrete floor slabs, mechanical and electrical rough-in and exterior walls.
The Provincial Government spends more than $230 million annually on mental health services and is supporting a community-centric approach. This includes the recent expansion of 811 to provide enhanced mental health and addictions crisis support for residents, and increasing other supports to help residents remain in the community.
Budget 2022 includes $16.3 million for the ongoing construction of the adult mental health and addictions facility in St. John’s and a six-bed unit in Halley Valley-Goose Bay. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure anticipates construction of the mental health and addictions hospital to be completed in late 2024.
Quotes
“These rooms are providing us with a crucial look at what the inside of the new hospital will look like when construction is completed in 2024. Having the feedback and input from medical professionals now is extremely valuable for us so we can ensure the fine details of interior of the hospital are based on their experience and meets the needs of workers, patients and their families, including those with disabilities.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“These rooms give us an excellent opportunity to pinpoint important details of this facility before construction is complete. By giving medical professionals an opportunity to offer feedback to the builder, we are able to ensure their concerns are met and the hospital will be equipped with exactly what is needed to provide the best care to patients.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“Our government is steadfast in its commitment to design a better mental health and addictions system that meets the needs of those who require these services. It is wonderful for health care professionals to also see these room mock-ups at this stage in the construction of the province’s new mental health and addictions hospital. This process will help to ensure the facility is further equipped to provide quality mental health and addictions care to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services
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Learn more
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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
Kathryn Summers
Transportation and Infrastructure
709-729-1758, 699-6147
kathrynsummers@gov.nl.ca
Laura Thomas
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 727-0341
laurathomas@gov.nl.ca