The Ottawa Hospital System, as it is known today by residents of Canada’s capital, was formally established in the 1990s. It is more than just a network of interconnected hospitals—it includes specialized institutes like the Ottawa Heart Institute, the largest cardiology centre in Canada. More details are available on iOttawa.net.
The Formation of Ottawa’s Hospital System
The modern hospital system in Ottawa was established during the 1990s, though medical care in the region dates back to the early 1800s. Its development was shaped by significant challenges, including outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, malaria, and other diseases. These crises spurred local physicians and health authorities to make every effort to save lives and improve healthcare in the city.
Development of Ottawa’s Hospital System from the 19th to the 21st Century
The first hospital in Ottawa was a military hospital constructed during the tenure of John By. However, the development of a proper healthcare system in the city began thanks to the efforts of Sister Élisabeth Bruyère. The key milestones in the formation of Ottawa’s hospital system include:
- 1845: Élisabeth Bruyère purchased a city property and established the first general hospital in Ottawa.
- 1847: She secured government funding to construct a larger hospital.
- 1850: Bishop Guigues acquired an even larger building to serve as the city’s hospital.
- 1862–1866: The hospital moved to a new location at the intersection of Water Street and Sussex Drive, where Ottawa’s first surgical operation was performed.
- 1897: The hospital began accepting medical interns for training.
- 1902: The first class of nurses graduated from the D’Youville School of Nursing.
- 1922: Grace Hospital was built on Wellington Street.
- 1925: A library, May Court, was opened at the hospital to provide books and magazines to patients.
- 1933: D’Youville School of Nursing became affiliated with the University of Ottawa.
- 1950: The General Hospital partnered with the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, becoming the first hospital in the city to do so.
- 1980: The General Hospital moved to its current location on Smyth Road.
- 1998: Ottawa’s hospitals were unified into a single system, forming the Ottawa Hospital.
Campuses of the Ottawa Hospital
The Ottawa Hospital operates several campuses, including:
- General Campus: Home to one of Ontario’s top trauma centres for adults and the regional Cancer Centre. This campus offers specialized services in hematology, radiation, and medical oncology.
- Riverside Hospital: This campus is unique as it does not have an emergency department and focuses exclusively on outpatient care.
Riverside Hospital in the Ottawa Hospital System
Riverside Hospital, which became part of the Ottawa Hospital System in 1998, is considered one of the campuses of the Ottawa General Hospital. Riverside Hospital is unique among the campuses, as it does not accept inpatients and does not have an emergency department like the other campuses. Riverside Hospital operates exclusively for outpatient treatment from Monday to Friday.
The Riverside Hospital campus houses the Kidney Research Centre and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. Additionally, Riverside Hospital is home to the Women’s Health Centre, which serves over 30,000 patients annually.
The Role of Research in Ottawa’s Healthcare System
The Research Institute of the Ottawa Hospital plays a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge. It conducts cutting-edge research in:
- Cancer therapy
- Clinical epidemiology
- Aging and age-related diseases
- Hormones, growth, and development
- Molecular medicine
- Neurology and vision sciences
As an integral part of the Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa’s faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences, the Research Institute has become one of Canada’s leading hospital-based research centres.
Through years of development, Ottawa’s healthcare system has evolved into one of the best in Canada. Its multidisciplinary hospitals provide high-quality, timely care with specialists of the highest calibre.