Waterloo hospital finds patient capacity at University-College residence

Monday, April 27, 2020

One of Waterloo Region’s largest hospitals is finding extra hospital bed capacity at a local college.

St. Paul’s University College has agreed to provide Grand River Hospital (GRH) with 84 private rooms to house non-urgent, non-COVID patients currently housed at the hospital.  

"We know that hospitals around the world are concerned about their capacity to accommodate the growing number of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Richard Myers, St. Paul’s Principal. “St. Paul’s is happy to do its part to ensure our hospitals have the resources they need during this extraordinary period."

Room in St. Paul's Green Wing residence

Room in St. Paul's Green Wing residence

The agreement, which starts immediately and runs until June 30, 2020, allows the hospital to use St. Paul’s Green Wing residence to host low-acuity, non-COVID hospital patients who require an alternative level of care. These patients are typically waiting to be transferred to another care setting or home with support, and no longer require the level of acute care that the hospital provides, making the residence an ideal space. 

“We have been extremely pleased with the response from our community partners as we plan to accommodate a potential increase in patients due to COVID-19,” says Ron Gagnon, Grand River Hospital president and CEO. “Grand River Hospital has been investigating the use of temporary spaces on behalf of the hospitals in Waterloo Wellington to create capacity in area hospitals, should we need it in the coming weeks. 

“This partnership will enable us to manage a potential surge in need and support us in continuing to provide the very best care to those in our community.”

The Green Wing is a new addition to St. Paul’s, opening in fall 2017. Each room has its own washroom. No students will occupy St. Paul’s residences this term and the facility will be thoroughly sanitized before it is returned to use as a residence later in the year.

Grand River Hospital will continue to deliver care to the patients they transfer to the residence. Hospital-standard cleaning staff will also ensure high levels of cleanliness and sanitation continue. Spaces may also be used to accommodate staff and physicians if the region sees a surge in COVID-19 cases.