London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has commenced construction of its Covid-19 field hospital at Western Fair District Agriplex in London, Canada.
The temporary off-site hospital is a collaboration between LHSC, Western Fair District and the City of London.
It is a part of the south west Ontario region’s pandemic response plan.
LHSC will manage the off-site hospital. The facility will only open if there is an influx of Covid-19 patients.
LHSC acting president and CEO Neil Johnson said: “If required, this off-site hospital will be an extension of LHSC and will have the supplies, equipment and technology that staff and physicians require to care for patients, including seamless access to basic lab testing, ultrasound and x-ray capabilities.
“Our initial plan is for this facility to be used as a step-down unit for patients who are recovering from COVID-19, but not yet well enough to be discharged home.”
The temporary hospital will have 144 beds, with the option to expand to 500 if required.
The additional beds will be located in a separate section of the facility. This could expand to include other patient groups as needed and determined by LHSC’s pandemic response.
London Mayor Ed Holder said: “We’ve said from the start that we’re all in this together, and we’ll get through this together.
“The level of cooperation between the Western Fair District, London Health Sciences Centre, and the City of London in establishing this facility is a shining example of that spirit. This proactive and collaborative approach will continue to inform our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
London Health Sciences Centre offers the broadest range of specialised clinical services in Ontario, Canada.
