The Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) is the lead provider of emergency medical care and services in Brantford, Brant County, Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations, and surrounding areas. BCHS is committed to providing safe, high quality care to patients and families in their time of greatest need.
The Emergency Department at Brantford General Hospital is open 24 hours a day, every day, and is staffed by a specially trained team of physicians and nurses. Patients arrive with a variety of urgent medical conditions, cardiac episodes, trauma and mental health or addiction crises requiring immediate care.
Over the past decade, the Brant Community Healthcare System at Brantford General has experienced greatly increased demand for emergency care. Currently over 58,000 patients present at the Emergency Department annually to receive help and care, including 8,000 pediatric patients. The Emergency Department is responsible for up to 56% of all patient admissions to the BCHS. These patient volumes will continue to grow to over 70,000 visit per year by 2030.
The hospital buildings, where the Emergency Department is located, are 64 and 56 years old. While there have been some renovations made over the last 30 years, the space is outdated and no longer meets the needs of our patients. The outdated space makes it difficult for our qualified health care professionals to do their jobs in providing the care patients need and deserve.
The renovation of the current Emergency Department at the Brantford General Hospital is expected to nearly double it’s footprint . The new, modern space will lead to improved flow, increased capacity, assist with decreasing wait times, improve privacy and confidentiality and ensure infection control protocols.
Under the province’s funding model, the BCHS Foundation must pay 10% of all construction costs (the “local share”) for the renovation of the Emergency Department. In addition, funds must be raised for the purchase of all medical equipment, furnishings and fixtures for the renovated Emergency Department – these are not covered or cost shared by the Ministry of Health.
The BCHS Foundation is responsible for raising in excess of $8 million to cover the local share of these renovations. To date we have raised over $7 million towards this project and are in the final stretch of the fundraising needed.
The ED renovation will have a tremendous impact on patient experience. Newly designed acute care and mental health care areas will mean that patients can be assessed in the location that is most appropriate for their care.
Dr. Aaron Wynn, Emergency Department PhysicianThe planned improvements and expansion of the ED will mean better patient flow, less wait times and reduced ‘hallway medicine’. Investment in the ED space and purchasing equipment is crucial to patient care.
Kerri Creeden, Unit Clerk, Emergency DepartmentDonations to the BCHS Foundation are crucial for making this project happen and for purchasing the patient equipment we need and use every day in the ED, such as ECG machines, vital signs monitors and portable ultrasounds.
Sky Cartledge, RPN, See & Treat, Emergency Department
For more details on the BCHS Emergency Department Renovation Improvement Project and on hospital redevelopment, please visit reimaginebchs.ca
Emergency Department Renovation – Project 1 Features:
- 9,975 square feet of added space
- development of a new See & Treat area
- Indigenous Care area
- Waiting room renovated
- Entrance enlarged with enhanced safety
- Expanded security office and switchboard area
- provision of new mental health treatment areas
See & Treat
Embarking on the next phase of the Emergency Department (ED) Renovation Improvement Project began with the construction of a new See & Treat area, Phase 1.
The new See & Treat area will be under construction for approximately one year, and when completed in Spring 2025, there will be additional space which will be linked to the rest of the department, and directly attached to the main waiting room.
The new space when completed will include:
- 6 single patient treatment rooms
- 6 treatment chairs/recliners
- 1 treatment room for minor procedures
As a result of the construction, there will be more appropriate spaces for people who have disabilities to better access without any perceived burdens. A dedicated space for young patients that’s more private and kid-friendly will help provide a level of comfort for those individuals who may have heightened fears. New equipment and furnishings being purchased includes improved stretchers enabling patients to more easily get on and off exam tables, and new and more comfortable seating in the waiting room.
Exciting times lie ahead for the future of healthcare in Brantford, Brant County, Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations, and surrounding areas. But there is still much work to do to fully fund a renovated Emergency Department at the Brantford General Hospital – and your support is more crucial than ever!