New Health-Care Centre Opens in St. John’s, Addressing Capacity Issues
St. John’s, N.L. – A new health-care centre opened its doors Tuesday in St. John’s, aiming to alleviate pressure on local hospitals and expand access to outpatient services. Located in the former Costco building, the facility represents a significant investment in the province’s health infrastructure and a novel approach to repurposing commercial spaces for healthcare delivery.
The centre’s launch comes as Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NL Health Services) seeks to address ongoing capacity challenges and reduce wait times for diagnostic and treatment procedures. The facility will initially offer a range of services, including several relocated outpatient clinics, wiht further expansions planned throughout the coming months. This move impacts residents across the region who previously faced longer waits and travel distances for specialized care.
Currently operational are several outpatient clinics that were previously based in local hospitals. In December, the centre will add blood collection, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, ultrasound appointments, a pre-admission clinic, and a pain clinic. Two MRI machines are slated for installation in January, further bolstering diagnostic capabilities.
An urgent care centre is also planned for the site later this year, adding another critical component to the facility’s complete service offerings.
NL health Services is leasing the building, which stood vacant after Costco relocated in 2019. According to John Pike, the project is breathing new life into an area that had experienced economic stagnation. “We’ve repurposed, revitalized an area in the city that was once kind of a desert town,” Pike said.
