M E D I A A D V I S O R Y

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WOMEN’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL PATIENTS SAFE FROM INFECTION

Toronto, ON (March 9, 2007) – Women’s College Hospital clinics and patient care services at 76 Grenville Street, 60 Grosvenor Street (Burton Hall) and 790 Bay Street have not been affected by the closure of Sunnybrook’s Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), currently located in the Women’s College Hospital building at 76 Grenville. The infection that caused the temporary closure of Sunnybrook’s NICU poses no risk to patients or operations elsewhere at Women’s College.

Dr. Mary Vearncombe, Joint Medical Director of Infection Control at Women’s College Hospital as well as Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, said today that “the infection affecting babies in Sunnybrook’s NICU, located within the Women’s College building, is entirely confined to the NICU. Patients and their families seeking care anywhere else within Women’s College Hospital can do so without concern.”

“I understand that some parents of newborns delivered recently at Women’s College’s 76 Grenville site have been worried about the health of their infants. My message to them is: you need not worry. The only babies affected were those in Sunnybrook’s NICU, and the parents of affected babies have already been provided full information by Sunnybrook,” continues Dr. Vearncombe.

Dr. Jim Ruderman, Chief of Medical Staff at Women’s College Hospital, also offered reassurances. “Our many Women’s College patients, including patients of our Family Practice Health Centre, and our many specialists, can continue to visit their doctors, take tests, and benefit from therapies and procedures throughout Women’s College. Even our Urgent Care Centre continues to operate in its normal manner (7 days per week, 7 am – 10 pm).”

On April 1, 2006, Women’s College Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre became independent organizations. The NICU and other aspects of the Perinatal and Gynaecology program became Sunnybrook programs, though until Sunnybrook’s Bayview Avenue addition is built, these programs continue to be housed at Women’s College Hospital’s 76 Grenville site.

The New Women’s College Hospital has two key commitments: to become a world leader in women’s health, and to achieve academic leadership in ambulatory care. The New Women’s College Hospital is a fully-affiliated teaching hospital of the University of Toronto.

Media inquiries: contact: Naomi Rose

Vice President, Strategic Communications

The New Women’s College Hospital

(416) 323 – 6400 x 7735

Cell: (647) 274 -2802

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