The Heart of Healthcare: The Willett, Paris – A Story 100 Years in the Making
The Willett, Paris marked its 100th anniversary in July 2022. A cornerstone of the community, it has provided vital medical services to the residents of Paris, Brant County and surrounding area since 1922. The Willett is an institution that is truly at the heart of Paris. Its community banded together to bring the dream of a community hospital to fruition and, in later years, united again to advocate for its continued operation.
The Willett officially opened on July 1, 1922, with Ontario Lieutenant Governor Henry Cockshutt presiding over a ceremony attended by more than 1,400 proud residents. In its first year, the 18-bed hospital served 265 patients, delivered 54 babies and performed 118 operations.
By 1926, the hospital had expanded to 24 beds and a staff of 11. In 1937 a first major building expansion increased capacity to 37 beds. Additions in 1952 and 1962 added 61 more beds. A major expansion was also completed in 1984 to accommodate the addition of an Urgent Care Centre and Radiology Department.
In 2001, the Willett joined Brantford General Hospital and became the Brant Community Healthcare System with a single management structure. All inpatient activity at the Willett transferred to the BGH site, and the Willett changed focus from an acute care service to develop its ambulatory and primary care function.
The Willett, Paris is an acute care facility staffed by a dedicated team of physicians, nurses and support staff to provide rapid and expert diagnosis and care for non-emergent conditions.
Today, Urgent Care remains a cornerstone at the Willett seeing 20,000 visits on an annual basis, and the Transitional Unit provides 32 essential beds for patients waiting for another placement in the community. Additionally BCHS provides accommodation for 20 transitional care beds operated by the Thrive Group at the Willett, Paris.
The Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation continues to invest in the Willett, with a recent donation of $350,000 for the purchase of new x-ray equipment. This investment, made possible by donor dollars, provides Willett medical staff with the upgraded diagnostic tools and technology needed to better serve our growing communities.
