Growing capacity by 500 beds: more details about new hospital in Waterloo Region [Video]

The future of healthcare in Waterloo Region is starting to come into focus.

More details have been shared about the vision for the yet-to-be-named hospital.

It comes after local officials, alongside Premier Doug Ford, announced the location of the new hospital Monday morning.

While hospital leadership said changes are anticipated, the overall ability to care for a growing population will vastly improve.

When the new hospital is built in 10 to 15 years, it will coincide with the closure of St. Mary’s General Hospital. According to healthcare officials, the number of hospitals in the region will stay the same but the number of beds with dramatically increase.

“So if you look at our capacity today, we anticipate growing by over 500 beds in this new building compared to the capacity we have today,” said Mark Fam, president of St. Mary’s Hospital.

Fam said a growing hospital system is needed to keep up with the region’s growing and aging population.

“You have to remember we serve a broader …