The Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) unveiled its alternate health facility on March 29 at the former St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital—a property now owned by Queen’s.

The facility, located in the Gibson Wing at 340 Union Street, was prepared at the request of the Ministry of Health to ensure capacity for the sickest patients at Kingston General Hospital should COVID-19 patient volumes surge.

The University is leasing the Gibson Wing to Providence Care for a new transitional care
centre that is expected to open later in 2021, however KHSC will use a portion of the main floor for the alternate hospital facility. Providence Care will be leasing this site until 2027. 

Though the facility is not currently in use, it was designed to be quickly activated in the event of hospital capacity challenges. If activated, the 70-bed facility would provide care for non-COVID, medically stable patients who require clinical support. 

The temporary facility is stocked with supplies, equipment, and technology, and medical support teams are prepared to be rapidly mobilized when needed.