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Space, privacy, connectivity top community priorities for new hospital

12-9-2022

WH Spacious.single-patient rooms, plenty of natural light, intuitive wayfinding and convenient parking are just some of the top priorities identified by community members who provided input into the future design of the New Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital during a recent public participation campaign.

The campaign, which ran from March 3, 2022 and May 8, 2022, invited people to submit ideas for 11 different clinical and non-clinical program and services areas of the hospital.

Participants made it clear they want their new hospital to be designed to reflect the region’s diverse community, with private areas for visiting families and loved ones and plenty of charging stations to help visitors stay connected.

The Together We Build Review and Summary Report, available on the project website, highlights the main themes that emerged throughout the public engagement including ideas submitted by people who attended the Together We Build virtual town hall series and visited the public engagement platform.

The report has been shared all User Group members involved in planning and will continue to be shared and made available to all staff and consultants working on the project.

“This data provides an understanding of what this community wants when it comes to a modern hospital built to welcome and serve everyone who comes in through its doors,” said Robert McEwen of Agnew Peckham Health Care Planning Consultants.

Another town hall series is planned for later this year to share updates including block schematic drawings and offer further opportunities for members of the public to ask questions and provide input. Watch for details on the project website at windsorhospitals.ca.

WHAT WE HEARD  
  • “Private rooms with washrooms that have wide doorways and room to maneuver commode chairs and walkers.”
  • “Provide enough space so that a visitor can sit and (not) feel ‘in the way.” “Nice open spacious areas with plenty of natural light and high ceilings to give it an inviting positive feeling.”
  • “We live in a very connected world. Access to reliable and fast internet service is important.”
  • “Design features (that) support a diverse range of patients and help assure that none feel isolated or alienated in buildings.”
  • “Short walk from the parking lot to wherever you need to go.”