NEWS RELEASE GUELPH GENERAL HOSPITAL
GUELPH, ON – Guelph General Hospital (GGH) and the Ontario government announced today that construction is approved for the redevelopment of emergency services space at the hospital. BDA Inc., a well-respected construction company with a history of successful hospital projects, will spend the next 16 months renovating areas on the first and third floor to create a dedicated area for Emergency Mental Health and Addictions Services.
“We are thrilled to begin work on this important improvement at GGH, so we can provide emergency services more effectively,” said Mark Walton, President and CEO of Guelph General Hospital. “Our current space was built to provide care for 40,000 patients a year, and we currently see about 60,000, including an increased number of people requiring emergency care for mental health and addiction-related concerns. Providing a dedicated space with specialized emergency services for those patients will be a huge improvement for several years as we take steps to initiate planning for a new hospital.”
Construction of the new Mental Health and Addictions Services unit, which is expected to be completed in early summer 2026, will include:
- A larger and enhanced Short Stay Assessment Unit for monitoring and treating adult patients experiencing psychiatric emergencies.
- A new Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Follow-Up Service that will increase individual and group counselling to help stabilize patients prior to being discharged and reduce repeat visits to emergency.
- Construction of a new three bay ambulance garage as well as new patient registration, triage, and waiting areas.
“Our government is protecting Ontario’s health care system and ensuring that more people in Guelph and across Wellington County can connect to convenient mental health and addictions care, when they need it most,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By investing in the relocation and expansion of Guelph General Hospital’s emergency mental health and addictions services, we are making it faster and easier for more people to access emergency care and mental health services they need faster and for years to come.”
The Emergency Department will continue to be available to anyone who needs emergency care 24/7 while construction takes place. However, if members of the public need non-urgent care they are encouraged to explore other options at www.knowyourcareoptions.ca.
In addition, parking will continue to be a challenge at GGH during construction, so anyone coming to the hospital for any reason is encouraged to plan ahead. Visitors and patients should consider options like taking public transit, having a friend or family member drop them off, and avoiding peak daytime hours from Tuesday to Thursday.
Key timelines and answers to frequently asked questions about this modernization project can be found on the hospital website at www.gghorg.ca.
