Action Plan to Remedy Drain Blockages and Spillovers at the Glen Site

Since the opening of the Glen site’s facilities, drain blockages and spillovers have become a source of disruption and concern for everyone in the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) community. Specific areas have been identified as problematic, meaning the situation has not affected the entire Glen site. The MUHC and McGill Healthcare Infrastructure Group (MHIG) are now working diligently with partners, providers and external experts to get at the root causes of the problem and implement corrective measures. The MUHC is also assuring the safety of patients, visitors, healthcare professionals and staff through infection control, housekeeping and other measures. 

“The MUHC will receive an interim report today, and each day thereafter until the process is complete and the problem fixed to our satisfaction,” stated Normand Rinfret, President and Executive Director of the MUHC. “I recognize how challenging this problem has been for staff and healthcare professionals, not to mention for our patients and their families using the Glen site. On behalf of our institution, I’d like to ask for everyone’s patience for a little while longer.” 

MHIG and its partners have adopted a 3-step plan: 1) it analyzed all the plans to ensure conformity with the building code. Its report confirms conformity. 2) It then analyzed installation reports to identify any irregularities. Again, nothing out of the ordinary was observed. 3) Now under way is a visual inspection of problematic areas. Cameras are being used to examine pipes and collectors, etc. Given the sensitivity surrounding access, this inspection will take roughly one week.  

“We have mobilized on site a multi-task team of experts that have participated in the design, construction and operations of the Glen complex. Time is of the essence and an intimate knowledge of the premises is key at this juncture,” commented Denis Crevier, President of McGill Healthcare Infrastructure Group.

Concurrently, the MUHC is consulting its macerator provider to identify whether there is any connection with this equipment and the blockages. Inspections should be complete in the coming days. The MUHC has also mandated its master engineering firm to complete an independent inspection and report. Lastly, given the number of foreign objects found in the drainage system, MUHC and MHIG have taken further steps to prevent and detect any misuse of the sanitary equipment.  

“It would be nice if there was a clear-cut answer to the problem, but there’s not and verification is going to take a little more time,” stated Imma Franco, Director of Technical Services, Planning and Real Estate at the MUHC.  “We would like to reassure everyone that we are on top of this; our Glen site teams are working hand in hand with MHIG and our partners to ensure that progress is swift.” 

Ultimately, the objective is to fix this disconcerting issue as quickly as possible and everyone involved is doing just that.  Rest assured, the MUHC and MHIG will resolve this problem. 

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About the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) 

One of the world’s foremost academic health centres, the MUHC offers exceptional and integrated patient-centric care, research, teaching and technology assessment. Affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine of McGill University and part of the RUIS-McGill, the MUHC has a mandate to focus on complex care and is highly committed to working with partner organizations to ensure continuum of care in its community. The partner hospitals of the MUHC—the Lachine Hospital, the Montreal Chest Institute, the Montreal General Hospital, the Montreal Neurological Hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Montreal Children's Hospital—value multidisciplinary service throughout the lifespan, innovative technologies and practices, strategic partnerships and leadership in knowledge transfer. The MUHC is currently carrying out a $2.355-billion Redevelopment Project on three sites - the Glen, the Montreal General and Lachine hospitals. The project will support environments that ensure patients and their families receive the best care possible, now and for many generations to come. The sites are also anchored in best sustainable-development practices, including LEED® and BOMA BESt guidelines. www.muhc.ca  

About McGill Healthcare Infrastructure Group (MHIG)

McGill Healthcare Infrastructure Group S.E.N.C. (MHIG) is a general partnership composed of SNC-Lavalin and Innisfree. Under a public-private partnership (PPP) with the MUHC, MHIG has design, build and finance the MUHC’s new Glen site and will operate the site until 2044.  

www.gismcgill.ca

About SNC-Lavalin

Founded in 1911, SNC-Lavalin is one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure. From offices in over 50 countries, SNC-Lavalin's employees are proud to build what matters. Our teams provide EPC and EPCM services to clients in a variety of industry sectors, including oil and gas, mining and metallurgy, infrastructure and power. SNC-Lavalin can also combine these services with its financing and operations and maintenance capabilities to provide complete end-to-end project solutions.  www.snclavalin.com

For more information, contact:

Public Affairs and Strategic Planning
McGill University Health Centre
[email protected]
(514) 934-1934 ext. 31560

Louis-Antoine Paquin
Public Relations Manager, Global Corporate Communications
SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.
514-393-8000, ext. 54772
[email protected]