New MUHC Psychiatric ED and Short Stay Unit construction is on track

What was previously the McGill University health Centre (MUHC) Admitting and Medical Records department at the Montreal General Hospital (MGH) is now a completely unrecognizable construction site, as the space undergoes a significant transformation to become the new Psychiatric Emergency Department (ED) and Short Stay Unit (SSU). Construction began in December 2014, and continues to progress at a positive rate.

Though hidden behind several doors and protective measures so as not to disrupt everyday hospital activities, a team of 15 to 20 are on-site and hard at work in the new facilities. “It’s starting to really take shape,” explains project coordinator Jacques Avital. “The former department was completely demolished and construction of new walls is underway. Up next, plumbing, electrical, ventilation ducts, and medical gases will be installed. At the same time, we will install a new ventilation system located in the basement to service the Short Stay Unit, the new department of medical records and some other adjacent rooms.”

The new department, which will consist of a six-stretcher psychiatric emergency service, an eight-bed brief intervention unit, and two seclusion rooms surrounding a centrally-located reception area, is slated to be completed in April of 2015 – just in time for the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) of the MUHC transfer. Once open, psychiatric patients will be directed from the RVH to the MGH in order to consolidate mental health resources and increase efficiency of care. It will become the only psychiatric emergency department for adults at the MUHC, with some 3,000 visits per year expected.

The new space, adapted for the hospital’s psychiatric clientele, will significantly shorten the length of stay, provide more patients with access to therapeutic services, and decrease congestion in the Emergency Department. Its location has also been strategically chosen because of its proximity to the Allan Memorial Institute, which will remain open and continue to house Psychiatric Ambulatory Clinics post the RVH move.