March 18, 2009

April brings first wave of clinic transfers from KGH to Hotel Dieu

A significant milestone event in the redevelopment of Kingston’s university hospitals begins next month as outpatient clinics on FAPC 2 move to other locations at KGH, Hotel Dieu Hospital (HDH) and Providence Care. The move allows for the major renovation and expansion of the ICU. It also marks a big move forward in Hotel Dieu becoming this region’s centre for one-stop specialized outpatient care.

“We’ve been consulting closely with Program Managers and Records & Registration staff to find the most appropriate relocation options to minimize the impact on clinic scheduling,” says Dr. David Zelt, KGH Interim Chief of Staff.  “Staff have been working with the hospitals’ Joint Planning Office to ensure that the transfer of medical/office equipment and supplies occurs with no interruption to clinic services or hours of operation.”

The transferring clinics will relocate into existing clinic space at Hotel Dieu, with the exception of the Clinical Immunology Outpatient Clinic (CIOC), which moves into newly renovated space on Jeanne Mance 3. The transfer of clinics will be complete by mid- to late-April and represents about 6,200 annual outpatient visits.  Specialized clinics transferring to Hotel Dieu in this first phase include endocrinology, cognitive disorders and clinical immunology (osteoporosis and orthopaedics clinics already transferred earlier this year). The chronic pain clinics will relocate to Providence Care.

KGH outpatient clinics not transferring to another site will relocate to Connell 7 and to existing clinic space on FAPC 1, 4 and 5. The remaining clinics, except cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, angiodynography and obstetrics/gynaecology (OBGYN), will transfer in the second phase once the redevelopment  at Hotel Dieu is complete.  

Management and staff at both Hotel Dieu and KGH are communicating widely with patients, families, staff and volunteers to ensure a smooth transition period as everyone adjusts to the new clinic locations. Several strategies are in place, including revised appointment slips and patient education materials, notification letters to recurring patients and providing patients with maps if their clinic changes hospital sites. 

In addition, clear signage, along with well-informed switchboard staff and information desk volunteers, will be in place to direct patients to the appropriate clinics. “Moving Soon”-style notices will also be posted in current clinic locations in the FAPC. 

Information about this Phase 1 transfer of outpatient clinics will be available on the hospitals’ internal and external websites, and information communiqués are being sent to all attending physicians at the two hospitals and to family doctors in the community. 

Planning continues on the second, larger phase of the redevelopment project whereby an additional 45,000 outpatient visits are scheduled to transfer in the future from KGH to Hotel Dieu.  Hotel Dieu will accommodate this activity by renovating 36,000 sq ft of existing space to create facilities designed specifically for outpatient care.