In an effort to expand capacity with 123 new acute care beds, a fast-tracked expansion project has started at Halton Healthcare.
The construction includes 111 new inpatient beds at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) and 12 at Milton District Hospital (MDH), with the goals of improved access to care, reduced wait times and creating modern private and semi‑private rooms.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Health, the OTMH project is supported by a provincial investment of more than $154 million and, in addition to the new beds, will add approximately 79,000 square feet of renovated space, while supporting approximately 200 jobs in the region during construction.
The expansion will activate purpose‑built, but unfinished space across three floors at OTMH– eight Centre Block, and the third and fourth floors of the North Block, as well as one floor at MDH.
Design features include windows in patient room doors to improve visibility and support care, while maintaining the ability to create privacy when needed. At OTMH, the level eight design will also include additional interior vestibules at the north and south ends of the building.
“This project involves completing and activating unfinished, purpose-built ‘shelled’ space within our existing hospitals rather than constructing a new hospital building. When OTMH was originally designed and constructed, approximately 80,000 square feet of space across the third, fourth and eighth floors was intentionally left unfinished to accommodate future growth. At MDH, the 12 additional beds will be created by completing and renovating space on one floor,” said to Al Coady, senior vice-president redevelopment, facilities and retail operations, Halton Healthcare.
Coady explained the 2026 expansion is being delivered as a variation on the existing Design Build Finance Maintain agreement, in partnership with Parkin Architects Limited and EllisDon to accelerate project readiness and delivery. Both organizations were part of the team responsible for designing and constructing the original OTMH that opened in 2015.
As outlined in a news release, construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, with new spaces opening to patients in spring 2028.
“This project is a great example of how thoughtful planning and investment in hospital infrastructure can help us respond quickly to changing community needs. The shelled space was intentionally incorporated into the design of OTMH to provide flexibility for future growth,” said Coady.
Halton is one of Ontario’s fastest-growing aging regions and, according to Halton Healthcare, the number of residents aged 75 and older is expected to double within the next 20 years.
“This investment represents true collaboration across our health system, with a shared focus on putting patients first,” said Melissa Farrell, president and CEO, Halton Healthcare. “By working together to expand hospital capacity, we’re ensuring that people across our region can access care when and where they need it most. These additional beds will help reduce wait times, ease system pressures, and support safe, high‑quality care close to home. We are grateful to our government partners for their continued investment and commitment to strengthening care for our growing communities.”
