Located on Baseline Road in Ottawa’s Carleton district, the Queensway Carleton Hospital is one of the capital’s leading multi-specialty medical centres. Unlike other city hospitals built in the early 20th century, its history began in the 1970s. Over the years, the hospital has undergone significant reforms, growth, and development to become one of Ottawa’s top healthcare institutions. More details are available on iottawa.net.
Opening the Hospital
Carleton was a relatively remote district from downtown Ottawa. Throughout the 20th century, most hospitals were constructed closer to the city centre, making it inconvenient for residents in outlying areas to access medical services. To address this, the government decided in the early 1970s to establish a new municipal hospital: the Queensway Carleton Hospital.
The hospital officially opened in 1974 as a smaller facility compared to those in the city centre, with just over 300 beds. It was the first and remains the only hospital serving Ottawa’s western region, including the Carleton and Nepean districts, offering a full range of medical services, including emergency care.
Development of the Carleton Hospital
The Queensway Carleton Hospital is now ranked among the top three hospitals in Ottawa. It serves over 500,000 residents in the Carleton-Nepean area, providing advanced emergency care, maternity services, psychological and geriatric care, surgical procedures, rehabilitation programs, and more. The establishment of this hospital has profoundly improved the quality of life for residents, making high-quality healthcare readily accessible.
The hospital has undergone multiple expansions:
- 1970s Expansion: Shortly after its opening, additional wards and staff facilities were added.
- 1990s Expansion: The hospital introduced a state-of-the-art maternity ward, significantly enhancing services for expectant mothers.
- 2010 Oncology Unit: A major milestone in the hospital’s history was the opening of its oncology department, offering cancer diagnosis, treatment, support, and rehabilitation. Equipped with chemotherapy facilities and 33 specialized treatment rooms, it brought vital services closer to residents of Carleton and Nepean.
- 2012 Expansion: New departments for outpatient care, intensive care, physiotherapy, and hemodialysis were added. These changes saved residents from travelling several kilometres to city-centre hospitals for essential medical services.
- 2014 Senior Emergency Unit: A unique addition to Ottawa’s healthcare infrastructure, this unit provided 34 specialized emergency care beds for elderly patients, addressing a critical need.
In total, the hospital has undergone approximately six major renovations and expansions since its inception. Its floor space has increased by nearly 440,000 square feet.
The Carleton Hospital has earned accolades for its outstanding service and high standards. It has been recognized by the Canadian government as a hospital with “an exemplary reputation.” Its adherence to standard organizational practices has secured it the highest level of accreditation.
The Queensway Carleton Hospital continues to be a cornerstone of healthcare in Ottawa, setting benchmarks for quality care and innovation.
