Your questions answered about Hamilton’s field hospital
Ontario is building a field hospital in Hamilton as the pandemic increasingly strains the health-care system with record numbers of COVID patients, particularly needing intensive care.
Where is it?
The field hospital is in a parking lot on Wellington Street North near Hamilton General Hospital.
What is it?
It's a mobile health unit that will house 80 hospital beds. While it's run by Hamilton Health Sciences, it's a provincial resource so Ontario hospitals can send patients there.
When is it opening?
The target is for the unit to start taking patients May 31.
Why is it taking so long?
The field hospital, procured by the federal government, is a complex structure that takes several weeks to build.
This week will see metal scaffolding installed, running the length of the tent structure to support the installation of electrical cables, HVAC, communications and plumbing lines.
In the coming days, work will include the installation of the fire alarm, nurse call and communication systems, and set up of medical equipment, furniture and other supplies.
What patients will go there?
Field hospitals are not intensive-care units. Instead, the patients are stable and expected to be discharged in three to five days. The unit can care for both COVID and other hospital patients, as well as those recovering from surgery.
How will it be staffed?
Hamilton Health Sciences is currently recruiting staff. It is expected to be a blend of existing hospital workers and new hires. Area hospitals have significantly cut back surgery, clinics and other types of elective care so staff can be redeployed.
Is this the only field hospital?
There is a second mobile health unit in Toronto. The field hospital is already built in a parking lot at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and is now ready for patients
What about Joseph Brant Hospital's pandemic response unit?
The field hospital at Joseph Brant in Burlington is being used as a vaccine clinic. However, it can be turned back into a hospital within 24 hours. Joseph Brant is monitoring the evolving situation along with regional and provincial partners.
Joanna Frketich is a Hamilton-based reporter covering health for The Spectator. Reach her via email: jfrketich@thespec.com