The Ottawa Hospital

The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) is a public, non-profit teaching hospital system in Ottawa, Ontario. It comprises three main campuses (Civic, General, Riverside), affiliated with the University of Ottawa. Together the campuses provide acute, specialized, outpatient, emergency, mental health, rehabilitation and cancer care services to a large catchment area including Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec, and sometimes further.

Clinical & Patient Services

• The hospital operates multiple specialty programs and clinics: cancer, mental health, rehabilitation, ICU, emergency & trauma services. Some services are available across campuses.
• “MyChart”-patient portal enables individuals to access appointments, after-visit summaries, test results, pre-check-in, medication/allergy updates, etc.
• TOH offers digital health tools (eVisit, online health records), interpreter services, accessibility support, visitor guides and emergency wait-time information.

Research, Education & Innovation

• Strong research institute (Ottawa Hospital Research Institute) conducts many studies across specialties.
• New Campus development under way: purpose-built facility combining clinical services, research, teaching, with modern infrastructure, more space, updated operating rooms, improved patient rooms, etc.

Strengths & Challenges

Strengths:

• Comprehensive range of services under one hospital umbrella, including specialty care, emergency, and ongoing research.
• Digital patient engagement via portals and modern tools helps patient access and communication.
• Infrastructure investment (new campus) promises to improve patient experience and accommodate growth.

Challenges / Considerations:

• With large scale and multiple campuses, navigating among sites and departments can be confusing for patients/visitors.
• Wait times for non-urgent specialist appointments or elective surgeries may be long.
• Parking, transit access, and commuting may be burdensome for patients depending on campus.
• Upgrading to new facilities (new campus) involves construction, transitional disruptions, cost risk and maintaining existing operations during development.

Practical Information

• Main campuses include Civic, General, Riverside. Each has different roles (e.g., Riverside is more outpatient / procedural for some services).
• MyChart offers both website and mobile application access for patients. It’s free for users to view records and manage appointments.
• The hospital is planning/constructing a new central campus to consolidate many services with modern design, more private patient rooms, expanded emergency/trauma capacity, etc.