For the community, by the community: Building a new hospital campus together
May 12, 2025
The Ottawa Hospital’s commitment to enhancing patient and visitor experience is at the core of planning for a new hospital campus – a space that will be shaped by the very people it serves.
The current planning and development phase for The Ottawa Hospital’s new campus is robust, spanning about 18 months and includes regular discussions with officials at the municipal, provincial and federal levels.
During this phase, we are engaging with TOH staff and physicians, experts in the areas of accessibility and sustainability, patient and family advisors, community health organizations, neighbourhood associations and Indigenous communities and partners. These designated working groups and committees meet regularly – more than 200 meetings took place in 2024 alone – to offer insights and direction on all aspects of design and development, from hospital signage to specific departmental or program requirements like the layout of patient rooms and clinical areas.
The ongoing connection and collaboration among TOH staff, physicians and community members is invaluable as we work to create a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
“We want every patient, visitor and staff member to have an exceptional experience at the new campus and across all TOH campuses,” says Joanne Read, Executive Vice-President and Chief Planning & Development Officer at The Ottawa Hospital. “Engaging in meaningful discussions with internal teams, external stakeholders and Indigenous partners will ensure their priorities are reflected in both the infrastructure and the experiences people have here.”
Here are some of the ways TOH is working with the community to design and develop our new campus.
New Campus Development Patient and Family Advisory Committee
This committee of about eight people includes current and former patients and family members with lived experience at TOH. Members provide valuable feedback and recommendations based on their own experiences in a variety of areas such as physical spaces, processes, parking, accessibility and more. Co-chaired by a patient advisor and a staff member of TOH, this committee meets quarterly and helps TOH improve future experiences for patients and their families.
Indigenous Patient and Family Advisory Committee
This committee of Indigenous patients and family advisors provides advice and feedback on the ongoing work of Indigenous priorities across TOH, including the design and development of the new campus. TOH is fortunate to have an Inuk Elder present for all committee meetings.
Indigenous Peoples Advisory Circle
The Indigenous Peoples Advisory Circle was established in 2021 to guide TOH’s work of reconciliation, including prioritizing initiatives that ensure access to safe health care, free of discrimination, for First Nation, Inuit and Métis patients and families. Membership is comprised of First Nation, Inuit and Métis leaders, physicians, health providers and community members from across TOH’s service region.
The Ottawa Hospital is fortunate to have a Knowledge Keeper from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg as part of the Circle. The group is co-chaired by Marion Crowe, the first Indigenous appointment to TOH’s Board of Governors, Dr. Elaine Kilabuk, Inuk General Internal Medicine Specialist at TOH and Dr. Jason McVicar, a Métis Anesthesiologist at TOH and an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa. The group meets every one to two months to provide advice and direction on The Indigenous Engagement Framework and Action Plan and inform design and development of the new campus.
Community Advisory Council
The Community Advisory Council plays a pivotal role in shaping project development of the new campus by offering insights and feedback of its potential impact on the health and wellness of our community and region. Meeting three times a year, the Council is chaired by Wendy Muckle, former CEO and Co-founder of Ottawa Inner City Health and long-time community health advocate.
Members of the Council include representatives from regional health partners and community health organizations dedicated to supporting our underserved or marginalized populations, as well as neighbourhood associations located near the new campus.
Learn how the new campus will help reshape the future of health care.