William Osler Health Centre's Brampton Civic Hospital opens Oct. 28

The area's long-awaited opening of William Osler Health Centre's jewel, Brampton Civic Hospital is fast approaching. Brampton Civic Hospital will officially open for patient care Sunday, Oct. 28 and will operate as an open, accessible public hospital. All health care, clinical patient care services and support services will continue to be governed, provided and operated by William Osler Health Centre in accordance with the Public Hospitals Act.

October 28, William Osler Health Centre will be moving approximately 250 inpatients from the existing Peel Memorial Hospital to the new Brampton Civic Hospital. Throughout the day, patients will be transported by ambulance or ambulance bus to their new patient care areas at Brampton Civic Hospital.

Due to the very busy nature of this day, visitors will only be allowed in special circumstances, such as for critically ill or palliative patients.

October 28 at 6 a.m., the emergency department at Peel Memorial Hospital will no longer be accepting patients. At the same time, the emergency department at Brampton Civic Hospital will open to begin accepting patients. After 6 a.m., anyone requiring emergency treatment or who is in labour should go directly to Brampton Civic Hospital's emergency department or call 911 if necessary.

Programs and services currently available at Peel Memorial Hospital are moving to Brampton Civic Hospital. Monday, Oct. 29, Brampton Civic Hospital will be open to the public. If you have an out-patient appointment or procedure scheduled for a date following the move, you will be notified of the location change by hospital personnel. The Bramptonbased Diabetes Education Centre, Asthma Clinic, and Eating Disorders Clinic are also moving from their current off-site locations to Brampton Civic Hospital.

Brampton Civic Hospital will provide the community with a modern facility, advanced medical equipment and a comprehensive range of health services. It will have more inpatient beds, improved clinical programs for adults and children and many new services such as a critical care response team and cardiac catheterization suite. Enhanced services include cancer and heart care, as well as regional centres for dialysis and paediatrics. An abundance of natural light and pleasant spaces to walk, eat and rest make the environment very welcoming.

As of Sunday October 28, health care programs and services at Peel Memorial Hospital will be discontinued until redevelopment plans are developed and implemented. The Central West Local Health Integration Network (CWLHIN) is leading the consultative and planning process to determine what health care services will be provided at this site. In the meantime, the building will be decommissioned and readied for redevelopment slated for the 2009/2010 timeframe.

For more information or updates please visit www.williamoslerhc.on.ca.