Supporting the health and wellbeing of staff and physicians is a priority for Niagara Health, and the South Niagara Hospital will help reinforce this commitment by creating a more positive workplace for all.
When the South Niagara Hospital opens in 2028, features like 100 per cent private bedrooms, intuitive wayfinding and new technology will help enhance the patient experience. With equal importance, a thoughtful focus is being placed on creating a healthier environment for the people who will work there.
The health and wellbeing of staff and physicians is a priority for Niagara Health and is why there are many programs and initiatives aimed at supporting team members at every site. When staff and physicians are supported, healthy and engaged, they’re better positioned to succeed both personally and professionally - which helps them deliver the best possible care to patients.
WELL Certification
The WELL Certification designation will provide significant wellness benefits. The South Niagara Hospital Project has been registered with the International WELL Building Institute and is on track to be the first WELL Certified hospital in Canada. The program is based around 10 concepts - air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind and community - which are incorporated into the building and design. Features such as greater access to daylight and nature, improved air and water quality, and the use of healthier building materials will support the health and wellbeing of all building users, creating a healthier built environment.
Let's get moving
Many staff are excited when they learn there will be a dedicated staff gym with equipment such as free weights, treadmills and stationary bikes that will be able to accommodate up to 15 people at a time. There will be multiple walking paths throughout the 50-acre site that will help get people outdoors and moving. The hospital will also feature an indoor walking path with distance markers to encourage movement, even when the weather doesn’t.
Take a break
Everyone needs to take time to eat, rest and get refreshed, which is why the South Niagara Hospital will have 14 team rooms- at least one on every floor- that give staff a dedicated space to take their breaks. Team rooms are available to all staff and physicians with features such as large windows to provide access to natural daylight, as well as kitchenettes and fridges, tabletop and lounge seating, televisions, touchdown workstations and other features to make them comfortable and productive spaces for all team members.
There is also a dedicated outdoor staff terrace, encouraging staff to get outdoors and supports gathering, teambuilding, socialization and rest.
Workstation features
Having a positive workplace goes a long way towards supportive staff wellbeing. Workstations and offices are designed to be ergonomic with many having height adjustable desks, offering staff greater flexibility to work comfortably and safely, supporting posture, reducing physical strain and promoting long-term wellbeing. Open office environments give greater access to natural daylight, and shared amenities such as touchdown workstations, meeting rooms and phone rooms allow for increased flexibility.
New technology
Technology is going to play a significant role in the new hospital, with many features helping to support staff in their day-to-day tasks. For example, there will be greater integration with Niagara Health’s new Hospital Information System in many areas such as digital signage to bedside charting stations. The Automated Transport System (ATS) will enable the efficient movement of supplies and materials around the hospital in an autonomous way. The ATS will not only help staff distribute goods around the 1.3-million-square-foot hospital, but it will also help significantly reduce the physical strain that can accompany this task. The Real-Time Locating System (RTLS) is another great example of technology that will support staff in their roles. The RTLS will be able to track equipment, staff and patients in the hospital and will be connected with the nurse call system, helping staff monitor patients at risk of wandering, locate critical equipment, and identify their location in times of distress.
When people feel supported, healthy and valued, they perform better both at work and at home, creating a virtuous cycle that benefits patients, families and the workforce itself.
Read this article and more in the July issue of the South Niagara Hospital Project Newsletter
