On August 1, 2024 the Ontario government announced a transformation investment in health care infrastructure across Durham Region to better meet the needs of our residents.
The multi-phase redevelopment will build a more connected system of care across the region and includes projects to expand Lakeridge Health’s hospital campuses in Bowmanville, Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax and Pickering.
To date, the Ontario government has provided more than $12 million in capital planning grants to support Lakeridge Health’s master redevelopment plan, as part of a larger overall investment to complete this multi-phase expansion.
The expansion of Lakeridge Health’s services and hospital campuses will add a total of 300 new hospital beds and enhance services throughout the region, including:
Redeveloping the Bowmanville Hospital to double the hospital’s capacity by adding 32 new beds and building new state-of-the-art facilities to expand inpatient and ambulatory care services and the emergency department.
Building a new Whitby Hospital to improve access to fast and convenient care.
A new post-acute care centre in Pickering to connect more patients and their families to rehabilitation and recovery supports.
Creating space for acute care capacity at the Oshawa site by relocating some services to a new post-acute care centre in Pickering.
Later phases of the redevelopment plan under consideration include expanding the Ajax Pickering Hospital to connect more people to clinical and support services.
The precise distribution of the 300 new beds across Lakeridge Health’s various sites will be determined as part of the ongoing planning process.
Lakeridge Health serves more than 700,000 residents at five hospitals and more than 20 community health centres across Durham Region. Through this multi-phase redevelopment, the Ontario government is ensuring Lakeridge Health can continue to meet the needs of Durham Region’s rapidly growing population and provide people with care, when and where they need it.
The Ontario government will continue to work in partnership with Lakeridge Health as it moves forward with redevelopment and continues planning for the proposed new Whitby hospital.
To learn more about the current state of Lakeridge Health’s planning and updates on the projects read through our Frequently Asked Questions:
It takes approximately 10 years to build a new hospital. Important planning is underway by Lakeridge Health to develop a timeline for the new Whitby Hospital and other projects related to the expansion of the Lakeridge Health system.
It takes approximately 10 years to build a new hospital. Important planning is underway by Lakeridge Health to develop a timeline for the new Whitby Hospital and other projects related to the expansion of the Lakeridge Health system.
The provincial government has provided Lakeridge Health with a planning grant to work on a masterplan for health care services across its sites and new projects like the Whitby hospital. This important work is underway, and information will be shared when it is available.
The exact cost of the new Whitby Hospital is not known at this time. New capacity and expansions across the Lakeridge Health system could cost as much as $2 billion or more collectively.
New hospitals simply cannot be built without generous donations from municipalities, individuals, businesses and community groups. Typically, the cost of a new hospital is shared by the province and the “local share” or philanthropic support of community in which it will be located.
How much our community will need to raise for the new Whitby Hospital is not yet determined.
While the details of the new master plan are being developed, a fundraising campaign for the comprehensive transformation of the Lakeridge Health system is also in the planning stages.
If you would like to contribute to the future new Whitby hospital fund, you can do so by clicking here and choosing ‘New Whitby hospital’ in the drop down menu.
You can also connect with one of Lakeridge Health Foundation’s team members for information on fundraising activities like hosting an event, business initiatives, estate planning or individual giving. Email the team at foundation@lh.ca or call 905-433-4339.
