Royal Victoria-MUHC move went 'better than expected'

The move from the Royal Victoria emergency departmentto the new superhospitalwent "better than expected," a spokesperson says.

On Sunday, 154 patients were transferredfrom the old hospital's emergency department to the new McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)facility, hours ahead of schedule.

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"Everything went really well," Richard Fahey told Daybreakon Monday.

"Now were going to take a little breather,ramp up activities on the adult site, and be ready for the May 24 move from the Children's."

Ambulances departedfrom the Royal Vicevery three orfour minutes beginning at 7 a.m. until the final patient arrived at the new site at12:25 p.m.

While there were no problems reported during the transport of patients, the new MUHC had its first birth earlier than anticipated.

A healthy baby boy named Arthur was born at 6:55 a.m. while staff and volunteers were preparing for the move.

'No comparison'

Patients, meanwhile, are settling into the new facility.

Hazel Glenn Raimondo, a 79-year-old who was transferred on Sunday, said there's "no comparison" between the old facility and the new one.

"It's so bright,and the colours and the view is beautiful," Raimondotold Daybreakfrom her hospital bed.

The only problem was the television in her room didn't work, so she was unable to watch last night's series-winning victory by the Canadiens over the Senators.

"They had promised us that the TV would be functional, and for my mother that was the most important thing," said Hazel's daughter, Tina Raimondo.

AfterMontreal Children's moves on May 24, three other facilities will still need to be moved:

• Montreal Chest Institute (June 14)
• Cedars Cancer Centre (an amalgamation of several MUHC sites,June 14)
• Shriners Hospitalfor Children (Fall 2015)