MUHC says thousands of problems still to be fixed at new superhospital

The McGill University Health Centre said Tuesday morning it has identified 3000 "irregularities" still to be fixed at its new superhospital less than three weeks before the first patients are to be transferred from the Royal Victoria hospital.

More than 200 patients from the Royal Vic are due to arrive April 26.

Michèle Lortie is Director of Activation for the new hospital.  She said most of the problems to be fixed are minor.

"It's like when you come in a new house. You see that one light is not opening properly, the door is creaking, that kind of thing," said Lortie.

She said the problems are being prioritized and serious issues such as wiring problems are being taken care of first.

Lortie said most of the problems will be fixed in time for moving day.

"I will not say all the problems, but all the priority ones will be fixed.  I'm quite sure that we will get there," said Lortie.

 Logistics revealed

Officials also logisitics plans for moving day at Tuesday's briefing.

Family members of patients being transferred from the Royal Victoria Hospital to the new MUHC superhospital at the Glen Site should stay home on move day, according to hospital officials. 

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They say it will be too busy for hospital staff to deal with family members while managing the transfer of more than 200 patients on April 26.

Family members will receive a phone call from a social worker on move day once their loved ones have been safely transferred.

Media will also not be permitted inside either hospital that day. A media tent and perimeter will be set up outside the Glen site.

Twenty-nine ambulances will begin moving patients along a pre-determined route starting at 7 a.m. ET.

Police will control traffic along the route but streets will not be closed to other traffic.

The MUHC says emergency rooms at the Royal Victoria and the new hospital will be closed on move day and other hospitals will pick up the slack.

Pregnant women who go into labour before 5 a.m. on April 26 are being asked to go to the Royal Victoria. 

They will be assessed on a case by case basis to see if they can be safely transferred after that.

Women who go into labour after 5 a.m. are asked to go directly to the new hospital.