News release

Construction of New IWK Emergency Department Underway

Public Works
Health and Wellness

Construction of IWK Health’s new pediatric emergency department is underway.

The project will create a larger, more modern emergency department that will enable the IWK to continue delivering high standards of care for patients and families from across the Maritimes, while providing physicians and staff with a facility that better meets their needs.

“This important infrastructure project will enhance the IWK emergency department’s ability to meet the demand for service and will help ensure high-quality care for children and youth in our region,” said Kim Masland, Minister of Public Works.

The expansion will better enable the IWK to provide emergency care, make it possible to accommodate a greater number of complex cases and facilitate criteria for new infection protection and control measures.

The Province approved $102 million toward the expansion, and it is expected to be completed in late 2025.

Quotes:

“Nova Scotians know the high quality of care the IWK provides children and youth across our province. As our communities continue to grow, now is the time to invest in a new and expanded emergency department to meet the current and future healthcare needs of families.”

– Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness

“With the construction of the new IWK emergency department now underway, what was once a dream for patients, families, staff and physicians is now becoming a much-needed reality. When completed, the world-class care provided by our emergency department team will be complemented and enhanced within a state-of-the-art department with the best medical technologies available. It’s an exciting time for IWK Health.”

– Dr. Krista Jangaard, President and CEO, IWK Health

“The IWK Foundation is privileged to work in partnership with the Government of Nova Scotia, IWK Health and our donor community on this essential redevelopment. We are proud that donors will play an integral and essential role in bringing this new emergency department to the standard that Maritime patients and families have come to rely on and expect – ensuring the delivery of world-class emergency care across the region and beyond.”

– Jennifer Gillivan, President and CEO, IWK Foundation

Quick Facts:

  • over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in patient visits, with the department seeing a 28 per cent increase in patient volume this fall compared to the same period in 2019
  • on average each day, there are 1,020 outpatient/clinic visits, 90 to 100 emergency visits and 20 surgeries at the IWK
  • the new emergency room will include three triage rooms, 24 examination rooms, two trauma/resuscitation rooms, four mental health and addictions care rooms, a mental health day room, a CT scanner in close proximity and a double ambulance bay
  • the IWK emergency department is the only Level 1 pediatric trauma centre east of Quebec

Additional Resources:

IWK Health:

IWK Foundation website: https://www.iwkfoundation.org

Follow Us