Our challenge was
always space.
Before your support transformed our Emergency Department, the corridors were tight, the waiting areas were small, and the rooms were narrow.
St. Joe’s had more than 100,000 visits each year, in a space built for 60,000. Our small footprint lacked space for large equipment and technology and private areas for personal conversations.
Over the past few years, St. Joe’s Emergency Department has undergone an extensive renovation and expansion, in what’s been the single largest fundraising project in the hospital’s history.
We’re excited to share that our Emergency Department transformation is now complete. It’s bigger and better, thanks to you!
Because of the generosity of this community we all have a bigger, better Emergency Department.
At St. Joseph’s Health Centre, we have always been committed to providing exceptional care to all members of our community. As the population ages, we recognize the increasing need for specialized care for our seniors, particularly in emergencies.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our community, St. Joe’s created a new compassionate space for older adults—a geriatric emergency area, known as the Green Zone. Amongst the first of its kind in Canada, the Green Zone is designed with seniors in mind, featuring safety elements like anti-slip flooring, accessible washrooms, and wider rooms for mobility aids. The rooms are also large enough for family members, support people and care teams.
Read moreKeep the momentum going this year! With a gift today, you will fund the ongoing transformation of care spaces like this across St. Joe’s.
Donors made extraordinary happen, enabling us to:
- Expand and modernize the Emergency Department by 40%
- Create a new Ambulatory Care Zone, which streamlines treatment for patients with less severe conditions
- Open a larger Mental Health Emergency Services Unit
- Build inclusive zones for kids and older adults
- Improve the registration area to improve the flow of patients
- Add specially designed screens for increased privacy and infection control

Explore the New Specialized Zones
Now, because of your support, our community has an expanded and improved Emergency Department with these state-of-the-art, specialized new zones:
Yellow Zone—Ambulatory
Care Zone
80% of emergency patients will use this space, which streamlines treatment for patients with less severe conditions.
Red Zone – Resuscitation Centre
A dedicated space with advanced technology and equipment for patients who need immediate, life-saving care. Features include an airborne isolation room with negative pressure, and a quiet area for family members to provide them with greater privacy.
The Orange Zone – Acute Internal Medicine (AIM)
Helps patients receive the care they need while avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions, offering close follow-up for emergency patients who need urgent reassessment.
Blue Zone – Main Emergency
With an improved area including new partitioned walls in the patient area instead of curtains and three enclosed rooms for infection control and greater privacy, and improved lighting. Plus a new registration area to improve the triage process.
Green Zone – Geriatric Emergency
Features include accessible railings and grab bars in each room and along the hallway to reduce falls, anti-slip floors, and wider rooms and bathrooms to fit walking aids. The rooms are even large enough for support people and care teams.
Rainbow Zone – Children’s Emergency
This space provides a dedicated area for kids and adolescents with a large rainbow mural, comfortable and flexible seating, and new interactive games to help distract kids while they wait.
