Your impact on emergency

When our donors come together in support of North York General Hospital, they accomplish great things. We want to thank our inspiring community of donors, including a lead gift from Charlotte and Lewis Steinberg, who supported the important revitalization of the Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency through the creation of the new Ambulatory and Minor Procedures Area (Green Zone) and the new Mental Health Emergency Services Unit (Purple Zone).

Our donors understood how critical it was to revitalize our space and support people-centred care in our Emergency Department. And you rallied behind us to ensure that we had the space and the supportive environment needed to care for your loved ones, friends and neighbours. Your collective commitment is truly a gift worth celebrating.

Your impact on emergency

When our donors come together in support of North York General Hospital, they accomplish great things. We want to thank our inspiring community of donors who supported the important revitalization of the Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency through the creation of the new Ambulatory and Minor Procedures Area (Green Zone) and the new Mental Health Emergency Services Unit (Purple Zone).

By the numbers

$11 million fundraising goal reached for the Emergency Department campaign over 4 years

6,007 donors to the campaign, with 2,203 first-time donors

85,248 patients made 115,980 visits to the Emergency Department in 2023

29,103 patients made 31,645 visits to the Ambulatory Minor Procedures Area in 2023

Dr. Kevin Wasco, Chief of Emergency Medicine, North York General Hospital

“Our Emergency Department (ED) remains one of the busiest in the Greater Toronto Area, serving on average 325 patients a day, and as our community grows, this volume will only increase. I’m thrilled that we now have a modern and people-centred space to help us care for even more people. I’d like to thank our incredible donor community for coming together. You are having a tremendous impact on our patients and families, and we can’t thank you enough.”

Kevin Wasko
Chief of Emergency Medicine, North York General Hospital

The ambulatory and minor procedures area – An incredible transformation

The renovated Ambulatory and Minor Procedures Area aka the Green Zone opened this past summer and treats patients for a variety of issues such as cuts, fractures, and abscesses, which frees up space in the rest of the ED for patients with other needs. Registered practical nurses Shannice and Abdul are excited to treat patients in this bright and open space. Previously the area was crowded and lacked privacy – not to mention the furniture and lights were outdated and needed frequent repairs. The two took us on a tour to explain how the renovation of the Green Zone has been nothing short of transformative.

A more pleasant waiting room

Let’s start in the beautiful Bernard & Ena Tam Waiting Area. When patients and family members arrive at the Green Zone, they begin their visit here. The warm wood accents and green chairs set a calming tone while we triage patients. In the evening, we like to dim the lights to create a softer ambience. In our previous waiting room, there weren’t enough chairs, so patients and family members sometimes had to stand. Obviously, this wasn’t ideal for them, and it blocked flow to other areas of the hospital. However, with more chairs and a better space configuration, the new waiting room is more comfortable for everyone.

Privacy in exam rooms

Next we go to an exam room, where an ED physician does an initial assessment. Patients may have a leg fracture or deep cut on their finger. Sometimes we even see young children who have put a bead up their nose, which needs to be removed! Thankfully, the new rooms have improved privacy. The old ones lacked privacy and on occasion curious patients would peek into another room. As the new rooms are separated by accordion screens, this ensures visits and conversations remain private. The exam process is faster now because the rooms are now equipped with proper lighting, supplies, and computers, and the ED doctor can now perform many procedures in the room.

More space in the minor procedures room

The Minor Procedures Room is used mainly when a patient requires sedation for procedures but also for setting fractures or treating cuts that need multiple stitches. The renovated room comfortably accommodates a team of health professionals required for sedation and allows us to easily move around whereas we were all “rubbing elbows” in the old, small room. Patients feel more secure in the room because it’s more private. In the old space, the room just had a curtain with a sign posted on it that said, “Do Not Enter!”

“We’re really excited about the model of care. Bringing mental health nurses to the Purple Zone and embedding them within the Emergency team will allow us to address medical, mental health and substance use issues at the same time.”

Sandy Marangos
Clinical Director of the Mental Health Program, North York General Hospital

The Mental Health Emergency Services Unit – A Safer and More Compassionate Environment

Thanks to your generosity, our dedicated Mental Health Emergency Services Unit (or the Purple Zone) in the Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency will start welcoming patients in early March!

From the start of their visit, patients will now be triaged in a private space. This newly dedicated area will ensure that youth and adults experiencing a mental health emergency are safe, secure and supported. Because people going through a mental health crisis are often vulnerable, this space promotes personal privacy and dignity.

The area is decorated in a purple motif, which sets a stable and uplifting tone. Treatment rooms have been thoughtfully equipped with carefully selected furniture, texture, and equipment that promote calm. As well, the area is now fully secure, and safety enhancements were made in the four patient rooms to transform the care environment into a space that resembles a Psychiatric Intensive Care Area. More mental health crisis nurses will also be on the Unit to assist patients and families during their visit. All these changes will allow us to realize the vision of a Mental Health Emergency Services Unit.

The Mental Health Emergency Services Unit – A Safer and More Compassionate Environment

Thanks to your generosity, our dedicated Mental Health Emergency Services Unit (or the Purple Zone) in the Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency will start welcoming patients in early March!

Seanna Millar, President & CEO, North York General Foundation

“Philanthropy has shaped the history of our Emergency Department and now it is defining our future. We hope you take pride in ensuring that we can meet the emergency medicine needs of the many communities we serve.”

Seanna Millar
President and CEO, North York General Foundation

Would you like to support patients and their families at North York General? Donate today to help fund our most urgent needs including upgraded equipment, enhanced care spaces and innovation across NYGH:

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