The Manitoba government is contributing $30 million to the Grace Hospital Foundation’s campaign to expand and improve the intensive care unit at the Grace Hospital by up to 20 ICU beds.

“Our government remains committed to healing health care and improving health infrastructure so that Manitobans can access better care sooner and as close to home as possible,” said Premier Heather Stefanson. “This expansion project will ensure the Grace Hospital – and its dedicated health-care professionals – can continue to provide the highest standard of care to more Manitobans.”

The premier noted the hospital is a 251-bed facility that supports patients from all areas of Winnipeg and surrounding communities. It is one of three acute care sites in Winnipeg, along with the Health Sciences Centre and St. Boniface Hospital. The facility’s current 10-bed ICU provides around-the-clock care for critically ill patients. The new ICU will meet the latest standards for health-care facility design with approximately 33,000 sq.-ft. of additional and renovated space.

“The current design of the Grace Hospital Intensive Care Unit is dated and inflexible,” said Mike Nader, president and CEO, Winnipeg Regional Health Care Authority. “We applaud the Manitoba government’s commitment and the participation of the Grace Hospital Foundation to fund the expansion and modernization of the Grace ICU – which will help strengthen the services provided at the Grace Hospital, for all Winnipeg residents, and benefit our health-care system in Manitoba.”

The project will create space for additional beds, improve the workplace for staff, and support a higher standard of care overall, the premier said.

“The Manitoba government has made massive investments in health care throughout the province and developing the Grace Campus has played a central role,” said Jeff Coleman, chair, Grace Hospital Foundation. “The Grace Hospital has a new MRI building, a new emergency department and a recently completed diagnostic imaging center. This announcement is the next major step in the transformation of the Grace into a true acute care center, and the benefits of this investment will support the health of Manitobans for years to come. It will save lives.”

As outlined in Budget 2023, the Manitoba government is investing $1.2 billion in multi-year capital investments in hospitals and other health infrastructure across the province including:

  • redevelopment of the St. Boniface Hospital emergency department;
  • support for the Health Sciences Centre redevelopment through the Health Sciences Centre Foundation $100-million Operation Excellence campaign;
  • expansions and significant renovations currently underway at Selkirk Regional Health Centre, Brandon Regional Health Centre, Western Manitoba Cancer Centre in Brandon, Tri-Lake Health Centre in Virden, Souris Health Centre, Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach, Boundary Trails Health Centre in Morden-Winkler, Dauphin Regional Health Centre, and Lakeshore General Hospital in Ashern; and
  • construction of new hospitals in Neepawa and Portage la Prairie.

Design work on the Grace Hospital expansion will begin soon, with construction expected to start in the summer of 2024, the premier noted.