Construction is beginning on an emergency room expansion at Southlake Regional Health Centre.
The Newmarket hospital said it is starting work this week to convert its ambulatory garage into an extension of its emergency room facility in a bid to address overcrowding.
“Visitors may see increased activity around the hospital,” Southlake said on social media. “The emergency department will remain open. Please visit the emergency department if you need urgent care. Thank you for your patience.”
The hospital revealed the plan in May as a way to address the years of overcrowding present in the hospital. With no new hospital building on the immediate horizon, Southlake plans to use the space for short-term treatment for those not needing a bed, with a capacity for about 50 people.
While Southlake does well in the time before a patient sees a physician, overcrowding has meant patients can be stuck waiting in an emergency if they need a hospital bed, at times up to 18 hours or more.
The issue is brought about by a growing population, Southlake officials have said, with the hospital not having had a major capital expansion to meet the demand for services.
Construction is expected to last 12 to 16 months.
Officials have said that ambulances should still be able to get proper access to the emergency department with the change.
