Many of us dream of a health care facility that doesn’t judge, doesn’t assume, and doesn’t perplex the hell out of us. If you’ve ever felt this way, look no further. The Women’s College Hospital, after a century of innovative work, has just started the process of building a hospital that is designed to actually keep women out of the hospital with an inter-professional, prevention based plan. The aim is to leave more time for that thing you sometimes forget about when you’re sick – your life!

The new state-of-the-art building will go up in 2015 on the current site of the Women’s College Hospital (76 Grenville St. At Bay and College), and will be an easily accessible, one stop shop for health management. The entirely new mode of health care this hospital is all about requires a new facility, hence the reason it’s being called the hospital of the future. Until then, the hospital continues to deliver first rate services (art therapy, Queer parenting support, gynaecology, and a ton of essential resources for the urban female) and groundbreaking advances in women’s health (leading the invention of everyone’s favourite unpleasant-necessity the Pap test in the 40’s, and founding the first regional Sexual Assault Care Centre in the 80’s).

Here are some reasons why this new facility will rock Toronto’s health care:

– The facility is based on an investigation of the health care desires of over 1000 women – women of all racial, cultural and religious communities, demographics and socio-cultural backgrounds, diverse sexual orientations, and life circumstances.

– As Ontario’s first and only “Ambulatory” health care hospital, any treatment or examination is done in a way that lets you go home within 18 hours. This means greater cost effectiveness and fewer risks like infections.

– The hospital strives for zero communication barriers between the doctor and patient.

– 76% of women feel anxious when they enter a hospital. This one feels homey and non intimidating, with minimal metal, natural lighting, and private places.

– The hospital is oriented around a “one stop shop” approach. Pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dieticians and clinical nurse specialists, along with the patient, collaboratively develop a personalized program. In this way, it enables you to be the co-creators of their own health.

– All the buildings will be designed with environmentally responsible features, to achieve LEED certification.

– The programs take into account the fact that women and men don’t have the same health concerns (sounds obvious, but traditionally, most medical research has been conducted on men and the findings have been extrapolated to women. How wack is that?) Current research at the hospital is concerned with why conditions like multiple sclerosis and depression affect women more frequently than men.

Some of the numbers that the Thousand Voice for Women’s Health study reveals are pretty shocking – 57% of women feel afraid when entering a hospital, 47% experience high anxiety, 45% feel isolated, 28% feel angry, 64% feel frustrated. The Women’s College Hospital knows there is no need for these feelings. The unsightly fluorescent lighting and sterile environment of traditional hospitals is totally not helpful for comfort and healing, that’s why the new Women’s College Hospital is making sure peace of mind, comfort and convenience are at the forefront of their building construction plan.

We got a chance to talk with Dr. Lipsombe, Scientist at the Women’s College Research Institute and endocrinologist at the Women’s College Hospital about some of the ideas behind the hospital.

Tell us a bit about the research that went into the new hospital.

“1000 Voices for Women’s Health” was a mixed method study, consisting of 4 approaches – focus groups, survey, online forums and letters from key leaders. All the results were taken in hopes to quantify women’s health needs. We wanted to access diverse communities and demographics with different health needs. Girls 15 – 25 said that confidentiality was something that was really important to them, whereas older, middle aged women were more interested in prevention.

What kinds of services are offered at the hospital?

There are primary care services and specialty services. In terms of primary care, we have a family practice team that’s very thorough with women’s health, and residents are keen. Our specialty services involve things like osteoporosis, diabetes, and mental health programs with a focus on varying stages of the patient’s lives like pregnancy and menopause. One important focus is that they are inter-professional. Were trying to promote one stop shopping, you could see a nurse, physiotherapist, or any number of health care professionals. We also have a programs for birth control and sexual health.

Is the hospital just for women?

Well, we wouldn’t turn away a man. While our programs are geared toward health issues exclusively in women, I’d argue that our approaches to ambulatory, holistic health care would also benefit men too.

What exactly is ambulatory health care?

It’s health care without being admitted to the hospital, but it’s different from just visiting a family doctor. We focus on wellness and prevention in the context of people’s lives. We acknowledge that sometimes, patients don’t have time to leave their lives. This is much more effective for chronic conditions.

Who can make an appointment at the hospital?

We’re open to anyone, however, many of our specialty programs do require a referral. Our website has details about which programs require a referral and which ones don’t. They will also be expanded upon in 2015 to improve the way we want to deliver health care. Right now, we are delivering it the way we want to, but we find that we are outmoded in this facility. It’s a work in progress.

by Kait Fowlie