AlgonquinCollegeLogo Algonquin College - Expansion Proposal
Healthy Communities
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Health care in Canada needs to move from a ‘find it’ and ‘fix it’ approach to ‘prevent it, find it, manage it

 - Health Council of Canada’s Health Outcomes Report, March 2007

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The Need - Health Professionals

Canadians have serious concerns about the sustainability of the country’s health-care system. The growing shortage of trained health professionals combined with an aging population has come together to create the perfect health-care storm.

According to the Canadian Nurses Foundation and Romanow Report, Building on Values, the Future of Health Care in Canada;

  • By 2056, seniors could account for more than ¼ of the population
  • By 2019, 50% of the nursing workforce is expected to retire
  • By 2011 it is estimated there will be a shortage of 78,000 nurses
  • By 2016, the shortage will have reached 113,000

To keep pace with attrition and population growth, studies show Canada needs to graduate at least 12,000 new nurses each year. The country currently graduates approximately 8,000.

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A 2004 OECD study reported that Canada had the highest relative nursing shortage of the 6 countries examined.

The $35 million Health Sciences and Strategic Growth portion of Algonquin’s expansion proposal will address the demand for health professionals while at the same time expanding the College’s commitment to a model of health education that moves beyond primary care to include prevention, health promotion and improved mental health.

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The Vision

The $35 million Health Sciences and Strategic Growth portion of Algonquin’s expansion plans will create 2,000 additional student spaces (1,000 in health and 1,000 in other strategic growth areas across the College) and expand the College’s commitment to health education that focuses on prevention and promotion.

Algonquin’s new health expansion will extend the College’s leadership in health and community studies education, encouraging student success through simulation, innovative programming and applied research.

The new facilities will allow the College to consolidate its existing health laboratories. The facilities plan includes:

  • Five basic care labs
  • One emergency and trauma lab with 2 intensive care bays and two isolation units
  • A seniors apartment prototype
  • A Health Services Wellness Centre incorporating the current health services under one umbrella. This will be a store front clinic and student learning site.
  • Polysomnography lab
  • Cardiac Diagnostic Lab with fitness assessment
  • Medical Radiation Therapy Land and Digital Imaging Labs
  • Pharmacy Technician lab and storefront pharmacy

The expansion will permit the College to increase health student spaces by over 950, ensuring an ongoing local supply of Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, Anesthesia Assistants, Social Service Workers, Massage Therapists, Dental Hygienists, Medical Radiation Technologists, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Assistants, Early Childhood Educators, Fitness Instructors, Health Promotion Advocates and Paramedics.

Algonquin College is committed to doing its part to ensure Ontario has the skilled workforce for tomorrow and to keep its citizens safe and healthy. In both health and construction there is a critical need for trained professionals, which if left unattended puts the economy of Ontario and Eastern Ontario in jeopardy.