Home / Health / Halifax IWK Opens Massive New Children's ER
Halifax IWK Opens Massive New Children's ER
6 Oct
Summary
- New pediatric emergency department triples current footprint.
- The facility will cost $127 million and opens in 2027.
- It features advanced equipment and unique isolation rooms.
The IWK Health is preparing to unveil a new, expansive pediatric emergency department in Halifax, with an anticipated opening in 2027. This major expansion represents a threefold increase in size compared to the existing facility, providing substantially more patient care spaces.
The project, funded with $127 million from the Government of Nova Scotia and over $30 million from the IWK Foundation, addresses a significant rise in patient volumes. Visits have increased from 34,000 to over 45,000 annually, necessitating the upgrade.
The new department will feature state-of-the-art equipment, including advanced monitoring systems, a dedicated decontamination suite, three resuscitation rooms, and an in-department X-ray and adjacent CT suite. These enhancements aim for safer, more efficient, and better care.
Infection control has been a key focus, with the inclusion of isolation rooms and advanced air handling systems, including Canada's first isolation room for trauma and resuscitation. The design also incorporates feedback from patient and family advisory councils.
This expansion is also expected to aid in staff recruitment and retention, offering a modern and well-equipped work environment. New positions for nurses, a pharmacist, and other healthcare professionals are being created.
