A look inside the new Groves Memorial Community Hospital

The new hospital is situated on 30 acres and the building itself is 152,000 sq.ft. Parking is free, with 320 spaces divided evenly between the public and staff, including barrier free parking spaces. There are two entrances for the public: Main Entrance and Emergency Department Entrance. There are three gardens on the hospital property, including the main entrance garden, the Healing Garden, next to the Staff Entrance, and a staff garden next to the staff lounge. The new Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Aboyne officially opened on Aug. 9. Photos by Keegan Taylor

Main entrance - Patients and visitors enter the main entrance to a spacious, bright lobby. There are drop-off lanes for patients outside the main doors. This area features a Volunteer Gift Shop, the Wightman Cafe, with both indoor and outdoor eating areas, a fireplace nook and an Information Desk. The Donor Recognition Wall is also on Level 2.

A Central Patient Registration Desk streamlines the registration process for all patients.

Dr. A.H. Bismillah Atrium is the spacious area of the new central patient registration desks, a site that allows patients to register at one location before being directed to the appropriate destination.

Donor Recognition Wall - Located on the main floor, the donor wall recognizes the community contributions to the new Groves.

Display Cases house an exhibit from the Wellington County Museum and Archives featuring artifacts from Dr. Abraham Groves.

The Ambulance Bay can hold up to three emergency vehicles.

The new helipad, next to the ambulance bays.

The view of the helipad from Level 3.

The Emergency Department - The ER has a separate entrance with a drop-off lane and security 24/7. Designed in a ring layout, treatment bays are situated around a central core of staff facilities. The Major Trauma Room is located beside the Ambulance Bays. A new negative pressure/decontamination room is located off the Ambulance Bay.

Triage Care Desk - There are two Triage and Registration stations, identical in design to allow staff to move between triage and registration to improve patient flow.

Operating room - There are two identical state-of-the-art Operating Rooms (OR). The OR booms are elevated off the floors to ensure a clean space and improve infection prevention and control standards. The Medical Devices Reprocessing Department is now linked to both ORs, reducing staff travel with soiled equipment. The Operating Rooms are over and above standard as the air flow consists of 100% outdoor air. The entire facility was designed this way so the possibility of airborne contaminants is reduced to nothing.

Diagnostic Imaging - The Digital Imaging Department houses a CT Scanner, two X-ray rooms, three Ultrasound rooms, a Mammography machine and Bone Mineral Density Testing. The interior hallways are connected to the Emergency Department providing patient privacy.

Medical Inpatient Unit/ ICU Care Desk - This reception area leads to the Inpatient Unit/ICU. Unlike the previous hospital, all inpatient beds are located on one floor. Patient rooms are bright and spacious with a view of the natural landscape around the hospital.

Patient rooms - All inpatient beds are located on one floor, Level 3, and have full washroom facilities, including showers.

Complex Continuing Care

Oncology - The new oncology area offers private treatment areas with individual televisions, bright windows and easy access to the main entrance.

The laboratory on Level 2 is bright and spacious.

Ambulatory Care - The Ambulatory Care Department, on Level 2, houses the Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Services, Specialist Clinics, Diabetes Education, Speech Language Pathology, and Respiratory. The rehabilitation gym has large windows and a spacious area for patients.

Day Surgery bays - Both Day Surgery and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit are linked via a secure and sterile corridor. Patients move through this area in a one-way direction for privacy and confidentiality. There is also a sub-waiting area and family waiting area which gives patients and family members a more comfortable and private place to wait.

Birthing Suite - There are two labour and delivery rooms with the ability to expand to a third. For mothers needing a C-section, the labour and delivery rooms are closely linked to the ORs through a controlled corridor. These are located on Level 3. The OB Unit is a locked unit ensuring safety and security for Mom and babies.

Surgery and Obstetric inpatient rooms were designed as flex rooms, allowing for the patient beds to be used for what is needed most. The OB Unit is a locked unit ensuring safety and security for Mom and babies.

View of the Healing Garden at the back of the hospital, next to the staff entrance.

Healing Garden - This is one of three gardens on the hospital property. The Healing Garden is also connected to the board room to allow for outdoor functions.