New hospital will have 78 beds - but what does that really mean?

During the planning stages, new health care facilities are assigned and funded for a set of number of beds. This number, and the types of beds, are based on a many factors including population and health care need projections.

The new Mills Memorial facility will be more than twice the size of the current facility. And the number of beds is also set to almost double, going from 44 to 78.

The reality of a hospital though, including Mills Memorial, is that regardless of the official number of beds, if a patient needs care, they will receive care. Also, while the beds at the new Mills Memorial hospital are dedicated to particular types of care and services, if no one requires that care or service at the time, the beds will be used for the care that current patients require; the beds are not necessarily only used for the type of care they are dedicated to.

Another common misconception is that the beds dedicated to the same service are located in a particular section of the hospital, such as a ward. In the new hospital, however, every room will be private with a private bathroom, which will improve patient care and experience. Also, every room will be able to accommodate all types and levels of care - though some rooms are dedicated, and therefore, more suited to particular forms of care or services.

The official breakdown of beds, old vs new, at MMH is:

• 25 to 41 medical/surgical beds
• 3 to 5 maternity/gynecology beds
• 3 to 4 labour room beds
• 3 to 8 intensive care unit beds
• 10 to 20 psychiatric unit beds

The emergency department will also increase from 10 beds to 20.

The number of beds at Seven Sisters will also increase from 20 to 25 beds.