By Selma Al-Samarrai

This week, a group of patients at St. Michael’s Hospital are moving to a new space with large windows, private rooms and space for loved ones as the Haematology-Oncology Unit relocates to its brand new location on the 8th floor of the Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower (PGT).

The unit’s staff and physicians are looking forward to the improvements of care that will be possible thanks to the PGT’s design features which include individual patient rooms with their own bathrooms and family zones, three airborne isolation rooms, new clinical equipment such as ceiling-mounted patient lifts, and conference rooms and smart TVs to increase collaboration and education for the unit’s interprofessional staff and physicians.

“This move to 8 PGT will be excellent for our inpatient team and for the patients. We are looking forward to the bright new space with modern technology and especially the private rooms to help with infection control. Of course, nobody knew we would be moving during a pandemic to emphasize the point,” said Dr. Dory Abosh, Physician, Haematology-Oncology Unit.

The Haematology-Oncology Unit cares for inpatients who have blood disorders or cancer. The size of the individual patient rooms in the PGT will be large enough to accommodate procedures like bone marrow aspirations and biopsies, and lumbar punctures. This means patients will experience those procedures inside the privacy of their rooms.

The patient rooms also have a family zone with a pull-out couch and a locker to accommodate loved ones staying with the patient. The space is particularly important during this time as it allows for physical distancing measures for patients, visitors and staff, who say they’re also looking forward to what the space will mean for them.

“This move will improve my day-to-day job because there’s a lot of new equipment in every single patient room that helps nurses such as patient lifts that stay charged, vital sign machines, sinks and suction machines,” said Anna-liisa Solala, an Oncology Nurse who has worked with this team for almost 30 years.

“As soon you step into the unit, you can sense how impactful it is to have an environment that is clean, bright, allowing for natural light, and spacious,” said Charmaine Mothersill, Clinical Leader Manager of the unit.

“Having a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, and 8 PGT presents an environment where patients can be supported by their family members at all times. Also, the healthcare team can provide care and have discussions with the patients and their families about their management strategies, without worrying about privacy.”

Thank you to the generous donor who contributed to this unit, its full name is the Agnico Eagle Oncology Unit.

The Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower (PGT) is part of the larger St. Michael’s 3.0 redevelopment project. The tower was made possible by Peter Gilgan, the founder and CEO of Mattamy Homes, who made a historic $30 million donation to St. Michael’s, and by Element Fleet Management, who contributed an additional $15 million. A massive thank you to Peter Gilgan, Element Fleet Management, and the many other donors whose generous contributions made the PGT a reality for Unity Health Toronto’s staff and patients.

About St. Michael’s Hospital

St. Michael’s Hospital provides compassionate care to all who enter its doors. The hospital also provides outstanding medical education to future health care professionals in more than 27 academic disciplines. Critical care and trauma, heart disease, neurosurgery, diabetes, cancer care, care of the homeless and global health are among the Hospital’s recognized areas of expertise. Through the Keenan Research Centre and the Li Ka Shing International Healthcare Education Centre, which make up the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, research and education at St. Michael’s Hospital are recognized and make an impact around the world. Founded in 1892, the hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.

About Unity Health Toronto

Unity Health Toronto, comprised of Providence Healthcare, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital, works to advance the health of everyone in our urban communities and beyond. Our health network serves patients, residents and clients across the full spectrum of care, spanning primary care, secondary community care, tertiary and quaternary care services to post-acute through rehabilitation, palliative care and long-term care, while investing in world-class research and education. For more information, visit www.unityhealth.to.