Royal Victoria patients moved into MUHC superhospital

As part ofa hospitalmove billedthe "biggestin Canada,"154 patients were transferred Sunday from the historic Royal Victoria facility toMontreal's new superhospital.

The move to the newMcGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Glen sitetook several hours less than expectedand involved fewer patients than originally thought, with some being discharged prior to the switch.

"It was just incredibly smooth," said Sheldon Magder, an intensive care unit physician at the MUHC.

"There was a lot of pre-planning... really good teamwork and everyone working together."

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Beginning at 7 a.m., ambulances leftthe Royal Vic roughly every three minutesto shuttle patients to the MUHC.

A baby in neonatal intensive care was the first patientto be transported tothe new McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) superhospital.

Thelast patient to be transferredarrived at the new site at 12:25p.m.

The Royal Victoria hospital, anhistoric 122-year-oldfacility in downtown Montreal,stopped accepting new emergency room patients at 5 a.m.

The newMUHCfacility admitted its first patientshortly afterward.

The first baby a healthy boy weighing 3.6 kg was delivered at the new site at 6:55 a.m., staff confirmed.

RAW: Baby transferred to new MUHC superhospital

9 years ago

Duration 0:29

A baby in neonatal intensive care was the first patient to be transferred on Sunday for the Royal Victoria hospital to the new MUHC superhospital.

Greg Clark, an ER doctor,told reporters the new facility hadbeen fully staffed for the past several daysin preparation for the move.

"We're very excited to have this opportunity to be in this modern hospital," Clark said.

The moveinvolved years of planning and presenteda host of logistical challenges.

Health Care Relocations, an international consulting group which has moved 300 hospitals worldwide,was tasked with the job.

Once the Royal Vicpatients get settled in, other hospitals will follow suit in the months to come:

• Montreal Children's Hospital (May 24)
• Montreal Chest Institute (June 14)
• Cedars Cancer Centre (an amalgamation of several MUHC sites,June 14)
• Shriners Hospitalfor Children (Fall 2015)

The Research Institute of theMUHC(an amalgamation of severalMUHCsites)already completed opened its doorsin February.

Spanning five city blocks, the new hospital has 346 adult care beds, 154pediatric care beds and more than 8,000 staff.

The whole move is expected to cost $10 million.

The Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment paid tribute to the Royal Victoria and its years of service.

The hospital was built by Scottish immigrants in 1893.

RAW: A bagpipe farewell to the Royal Victoria

9 years ago

Duration 0:41

Black Watch marching band says goodbye to hospital built in 1893 in Montreal.