Medicine Hat Regional Hospital

GGA-Architecture, in joint venture with Diamond + Schmitt Architects, commenced the 245,000-square-foot expansion and renovation of Medicine Hat Regional Hospital in 2011, addressing anticipated population and demographic growth. The expansion included critical departments such as Medical Device Reprocessing, Cancer Clinic, Maternal and Child Services, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Surgical Suites, and Renal Services. An interstitial floor and a penthouse mechanical room were added to support these areas. The NICU was designed with dedicated communication stations and transition-to-home rooms to enhance support for new parents.

Integrating the new wing with the existing Medicine Hat Regional Hospital posed challenges related to building code compliance, building envelope continuity, and construction logistics, particularly while ensuring uninterrupted facility operations. The design features a centrally organized floor plan, maximizing natural light and amenity access, and a centrally located patient registration area to improve operational flow and efficiency.

The renovation phase, which followed the expansion, focused on two hospital floors, including the Emergency Department, Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital Foundation, Health Information, and Biomedical Engineering departments. These updates were crucial for ensuring seamless integration and enhancing functionality to support cohesive operations at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Renovation work required extensive coordination across disciplines to maintain construction within an active, fully operational healthcare environment.