New pavilion at Verdun Hospital inaugurated

The new pavilion at the Verdun Hospital was officially inaugurated on Thursday, marking a major milestone in the hospital’s ongoing expansion and modernization program.

The pavilion, spanning more than 24,000 square metres across five floors, houses outpatient services — including nuclear medicine, external clinics, day medicine, and clinical reception — as well as four modern care units totaling 144 individual rooms.

These rooms replace much of the hospital’s older units while maintaining the facility’s total capacity of 244 beds.

Health Minister Christian Dubé highlighted the project as a concrete step toward improving access to care and creating a safer, more humane environment for both patients and staff.

Ahead of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, health officials underlined the significance of the new facility in strengthening the region’s healthcare network.

“The aim is to improve patient experience but also employee engagement and there will be more time dedicated for patient care,” said Geneviève Biron, President and CEO of Santé Québec.

As part of the pavilion’s inauguration, officials and staff took part in a guided tour of the new facilities.

Jenny Ulloa, clinical leader of clinical practice and nurse, shared her impressions of the improvements, noting that the layout is designed to bring staff closer to patients and improve the quality of care.

Daniel Murphy, medical co-promoter of the Verdun Hospital and medical director for the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, emphasized that the new designs also prioritize accessibility for patients with mobility issues.

He highlighted the introduction of mobile workstations — one assigned to each nurse — which allow staff to move throughout the unit while accessing patient information digitally. The system supports the hospital’s goal of reducing paper use and waste, with plans to eventually extend similar stations to physicians.

“We want everything to be electronic eventually. There’s little steps to get there, but we’re heading in the right direction,” said Murphy.

According to Eliane Favreau, co-leader of the hospital’s expansion project, the design emphasizes patient comfort, privacy, infection prevention, and an improved experience for patients and their families.

The new rooms will include adjustable lighting and temperature controls, touch-free blinds to reduce infection risks, and a private bathroom with a shower.

They will also feature two chairs for the patient and a family member, a clock displaying the date, and an information board written in clear, simplified language to help families and staff stay informed about the patient’s condition.

Nurses will have access to digital monitors that allow them to directly record symptoms electronically, and each room will include a personal locker for belongings.

Room manuals will also be provided to help patients better understand their space.

The pavilion is part of a larger $386.2 million expansion and modernization program for Verdun Hospital, including a $1 million donation from the Fondation Santé Urbaine.

Construction began amid rising costs and extended timelines, with earlier estimates noting the project had increased by nearly 50 per cent due to labor and material shortages.

The first floor is expected to open before the holidays, with the second floor following by the end of spring 2026. Staff are still in the process of moving in and ensuring that the facilities are ready to properly serve patients.

Future phases include the gradual opening of services in the new pavilion, completion of a central atrium by fall 2026, and development of a day-surgery area in summer 2027.