Nova Scotians are one step closer to having better access to the healthcare they need with site preparation about to begin for the acute care tower at the QEII Health Sciences Centre’s Halifax Infirmary site.

In early spring, workers will start putting up fencing, begin site excavation and apply for all necessary construction permits. A new emergency department entrance for the public off Bell Road will also be constructed. This work will help pave the way for a modern healthcare building that will include 216 acute care beds, 16 operating rooms, an intensive care unit and a new, larger emergency department.

“This is one of many steps ahead of us, but it is a significant step forward for the largest healthcare construction project ever considered in this province. It will mean better healthcare services for Nova Scotians for generations to come,” said Michelle Thompson, Minister responsible for Healthcare Redevelopment. “Not only will this exceptional facility provide the best care for Nova Scotians, but it will also help us attract and retain the talented healthcare professionals we need to deliver that care.”

This phase of construction, which will ready the site for the new tower, is expected to continue throughout 2024.

As part of this project, the Province continues to upgrade the Halifax Infirmary’s Summer Street entrance, which will become the hospital’s main entrance during construction. Work also continues to relocate utilities, as well as to replace and renovate the hospital’s magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) space.

Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson has assumed responsibility for projects under the healthcare redevelopment portfolio.

“We have made significant progress on this critical project, and I want to thank everyone at Build Nova Scotia for their work. Ensuring the best care for Nova Scotians has always been Minister Thompson’s number one priority. As construction will soon start, I know that her commitment will go into every detail of this generational project.” 
— Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and former Minister responsible for Healthcare Redevelopment“This modern, purpose-built tower will bring us into the next generation of patient care for all Nova Scotians. The QEII redevelopment team is busy engaging with our clinical teams and leadership to ensure the design puts patients and families first in the layout and design. It is exciting to see the plans coming to fruition.”
— Dr. Christine Short, Senior Medical Director of Redevelopment (Central Zone), Nova Scotia Health

“This expansion to the Halifax Infirmary will have a profound impact on the needs of a rapidly growing population. It’s about so much more than bricks and mortar; it’s about laying the foundation for stronger, more resilient communities – a legacy that will echo through the generations to come.”
— David Benoit, President and CEO, Build Nova Scotia 

“Preparing the Halifax Infirmary site for the future acute care tower is a significant milestone for both the Province and the Plenary PCL Health team. As early work activities begin, our team remains committed to refining and advancing design development on the project to ensure modernized patient care for the people of Nova Scotia.”
— Brian Budden, President and CEO, Plenary Americas

“PCL Construction is proud to partner with the Government of Nova Scotia on this groundbreaking Halifax Infirmary expansion project. As the largest healthcare infrastructure project in Nova Scotia’s history, we’re looking forward to working with our partners in Plenary PCL Health to provide the community with access to this modern healthcare facility.”
— Paul Knowles, Vice-President and District Manager, PCL Construction

Quick Facts:
– the Province is investing $254 million in the design and site preparation phase of the Halifax Infirmary expansion
– the Halifax Infirmary expansion will enable services to be relocated from aging facilities, including the Victoria General Hospital and Dickson Centre, to new, state-of-the-art buildings and renovated program spaces

Additional Resources:
Action for Health, the government’s plan to improve healthcare in Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/

More, Faster: The Action for Health Build: https://buildns.ca/healthcare/more-faster-the-action-for-health-build/

Department of Public Works on the X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/NS_PublicWorks

Via QE2