Article content NL Health Service’s ambulatory care hub will see a number of services move over in October, they include, ophthalmology (eye clinic), T-Jack bariatric clinic, medicine & surgery clinics, the urology clinic, orthopedic clinic, cardiac diagnostics, and audiology. Photo by Cameron Kilfoy/The TelegramArticle contentThe second floor also uses wayfinding, or colour-coded units, to make finding where you need to go easier. There are various colours, such as blue, orange, yellow and green. A pilot project of this nature was tested at St. Clare’s. Article contentThe urgent care centre, located to the right of the main entrance, will handle urgent, non-life-threatening medical injuries and illnesses. In the unit, there are nine treatment rooms and two procedure rooms; the procedure rooms would apply sutures or casts for broken limbs. Article content Down on the first floor of NL Health Service’s ambulatory care hub and urgent care centre, is there urgent care centre, which is laid out and is akin to what an emergency apartment looks like. In the urgent care centre health care professionals will handle urgent, non-life-threatening medical injuries and illnesses. Photo by Cameron Kilfoy/The TelegramArticle contentThe facility will also have two new MRI machines; the only extension added to the building was to provide the correct space for the machines. Article contentThe MRIs are scheduled to open in 2026, alongside a Jumping Bean Coffee shop and a Shoppers Drug Mart.Article content Kimberly Pike, clinical planner for NL Health Service’s ambulatory care hub and urgent care centre, shows reporters during a tour on July 15, 2025, where the province’s two newest MRI machines will be place. Both machines are set to be operational by 2026. Photo by Cameron Kilfoy/The TelegramArticle contentHow are they staffing the hub?Article contentWhen it comes to staffing the facility, Dr. Greg Browne, clinical lead of health care infrastructure, said NLHS is getting to where it needs to be with staffing the facility.Article contentArticle contentBrowne said that there will be a transfer of some Health Sciences and St. Clare’s staff. As services increase in the new hub, he said, NLHS will not need as many staff at hospital sites.Article content On the second floor of NL Health Service’s ambulatory care hub. The second floor is more complete compared to the first, according to clinical lead, Kimberly Pike, because the second floor was added, poured in sections and completed before the first was ready. Photo by Cameron Kilfoy/The TelegramArticle content“As more volume comes here, what is going to happen is the volume of everything is going to increase,” said Browne. Article content“So we will be doing more diagnostic procedures, there will be more clinic appointments, there’ll be more opportunities for patient care for everybody.”Article content Inside a completed patient room in NL Health Service’s new ambulatory care hub based out the old Costco Building. Photo by Cameron Kilfoy/The TelegramArticle contentBrowne added that an information campaign will launch ahead of the opening to help patients understand when to go to anemergency department versus an urgent care centre.Article content‘Enhancing the patient experience’Article contentDorothy Senior was the patient advisor on the project — her input was used to ensure NLHS was looking after what patients needed from this type of facility.Article contentSenior believes that once the facility opens and people start using it, patients will see the benefits.Article content“When you look at this building, you can see the ease of access, the colours, the lighting, the parking, and how much that’s going to be of benefit for patients,” said Senior Article content“It’s certainly going to enhance the experience of going to a hospital and having to go to a clinic without trying to get around corridors and linen carts to get to a specific clinic.”Article content Just down from the main entrance of NL Health Service’s ambulatory care hub, toward the silver truck, is the entrance to the urgent care centre. Kimberly Pike, clinical planner, said the urgent care centre has there are nine treatment rooms and two procedure rooms; the procedure rooms would apply sutures or casts for broken limbs. Photo by Cameron Kilfoy/The TelegramArticle content
PHOTO TOUR: Look inside NL Health Services new ambulatory care hub and urgent care centre in old Costco
