Owen Sound Hospital Expands ICU Capacity With Four New Beds
Owen Sound Hospital has added four new ICU beds, increasing capacity to 12 and expanding access to critical care for patients across Grey and Bruce counties.
The Owen Sound Hospital has increased its Intensive Care Unit capacity by adding four new beds, bringing the total to 12.
The province funded the expansion at the ICU operated by Brightshores Health System, which provides the only dedicated critical care unit serving Grey and Bruce counties.
The increase marks a 50% from the previous eight-bed capacity. Brightshores reports that staff admitted 458 patients to the ICU during the 2024–25 fiscal year. Patients stayed an average of 10 days, limiting turnover and often keeping beds occupied for extended periods.
For families across the largely rural region, ICU availability often determines whether patients receive treatment locally or require transfer to another centre.
Hospital leaders say the additional beds will help more patients access specialized care closer to home, particularly during periods of high demand.
ICU teams provide round-the-clock monitoring and advanced treatment for patients facing serious and complex medical conditions. Physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other specialized professionals staff the unit.
Ann Ford, President and CEO of Brightshores, said the added beds will improve access to critical care services in the region. Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers said residents frequently raise concerns about accessing care close to home.
Brightshores operates six hospitals across Grey and Bruce counties and serves approximately 175,000 permanent residents, along with seasonal residents and visitors.
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