Access to critical care is expanding with the addition of four beds in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Owen Sound Hospital.
This expansion, supported through new provincial funding, will help ensure that patients and families across Grey and Bruce counties receive life-saving care close to home when they need it most.
The ICU provides specialized around-the-clock care for patients with the most serious and complex medical needs. Teams of critical care physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other healthcare professionals deliver continuous monitoring, advanced treatment and rapid response interventions to patients in their care.
“Our ICU teams support patients and families through some of their most challenging health moments with skill, compassion and professionalism,” said Ann Ford, President and CEO, Brightshores. “These additional beds will improve access to specialized critical care services close to home. We are grateful to the provincial government for supporting this important investment in our region.”
Brightshores regional ICU services are provided at the Owen Sound Hospital. Between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025 (our last fiscal year) the team cared for 458 patients. Patients’ average length of stay on the unit is 10 days. The four additional beds bring the total number of ICU beds to 12.
“It is important that where possible, patients receive care close to home. This is something I hear in the community on a regular basis,” said Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers. “Today’s announcement helps make that a reality for more families across Bruce and Grey counties.”
Brightshores operates six hospitals in one of the largest geographic regions in Ontario. The dedicated team of 2,100+ staff, 250+ physicians and 1,000+ volunteers serve a rural region that is home to 175,000 residents, thousands of seasonal residents and sees more than two million annual short-stay visitors.
It offers a full range of services across Grey and Bruce counties, including 24/7 emergency care at each hospital site. As a regional system, it provides specialized care for cancer, stroke, mental health and addictions, and more, ensuring patients receive the expert treatment they need close to home.
