November 29, 2011
Construction Begins on HSC Diagnostic Centre of Excellence
– – –$59-million Investment Will Offer Improved, More Flexible Service Delivery: Oswald
Construction will soon be underway on a new diagnostic centre of excellence at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Health Minister Theresa Oswald announced today.
“Based on advice from doctors and other health professionals, we have expanded our original commitment to a dedicated pediatric MRI to include a new diagnostic centre as well as a helipad at Health Sciences Centre for the new STARS helicopter ambulance,” said Oswald. “This exciting new facility will improve patient care and help reduce wait times for Manitobans.”
The new, seven-storey, 91,000-square-foot centre will be located on William Avenue and will be linked to the Children’s Hospital, the Ann Thomas Building and the new Women’s Hospital. It will house:
- a new pediatric MRI and associated waiting room, nursing station and support spaces;
- a new CT scanner;
- a digital radiography suite incorporating existing equipment from the Ann Thomas Building;
- a new operating room angiography suite;
- replacement of the shared adult/pediatric cardiac catheterization laboratory;
- consolidation of remaining pediatric diagnostic imaging programs (ultrasound, fluoroscopy and radiology viewing) from the Children’s Hospital; and
- relocated vascular and neuroangiography laboratories.
Also, the new centre will be the first health facility in Manitoba to have a heliport. The 60-by-60-foot rooftop landing pad will meet an H1 aircraft classification and accommodate twin-engine helicopters. The heliport will provide direct elevator access to the Ann Thomas Building emergency rooms and operating theatres.
“This building will improve access to and enhancement of Winnipeg’s expert imaging and diagnostic tools, for children as well as adults,” said Arlene Wilgosh, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. “Having a helipad on the top of this building will mean patients suffering from potentially fatal traumas or who are otherwise critically ill - adults and children both - are going to get the expert care they need much more quickly.”
The new centre will allow for future consolidation of pediatric specialty services that are currently located in various areas throughout the Health Sciences Centre campus, Oswald said.
Preliminary construction activities are now underway, with completion scheduled for spring 2014.
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