Construction is underway on a regional pandemic response unit (RPRU) at Barrie’s Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH).

The approximately 70-bed, 8,250-square-foot modular structure will be located in the parking lot outside RVH’s Simcoe entrance. This temporary unit is a fully functional field hospital, ready to deliver care for those suffering from COVID-19 as and when required.

“Strict public health measures have successfully suppressed COVID-19 in Ontario, and while the first wave of the pandemic may have peaked, we know the virus is still very present in our community and a spike could develop at any time,” says hospital president and CEO Janice Skot. “The RPRU will ensure we are prepared for a second wave of cases in Simcoe Muskoka and will provide insurance in the face of a very uncertain future.

The facility will be outfitted with modular walls for privacy and head walls with suction and oxygen, a call bell system for patient assistance, interprofessional stations and washrooms. The unit itself can withstand high winds and snow loads.

The timeline for construction of the unit, says the hospital, is about a month. This means the facility should be open to receive patients by early June. The cost to build the facility is being funded by Ontario Health, and construction overseen by Infrastructure Ontario.

“Having the Pandemic Response Unit at RVH will ensure limited bed capacity is not a barrier if patients in the region require hospital care,” says Charlotte Wallis, chair of the hospital’s board of directors. “The structure is part of a detailed capacity plan to ensure RVH has the space, equipment and healthcare workers to care for patients from across the region.”