Expanded capacity strengthens care for growing region

Patients and families across southern Manitoba will benefit from increased hospital capacity with the opening of the new two-story inpatient unit expansion at Boundary Trails Health Centre.

The new inpatient unit is part of a major expansion designed to support the rapidly growing communities of Morden and Winkler and surrounding municipalities to improve access to care closer to home. The additional 24 medical and palliative care beds will increase the facility’s capacity and provide modern space for patient care programs, helping ensure residents in the region receive timely treatment when they need it.

“This expansion represents a significant step forward for health care in our region,” said Kyle MacNair, Implementation Lead for Southern Health-Santé Sud. “The new inpatient unit will help meet the needs of our growing population while providing patients and families with modern, comfortable spaces designed to support high-quality care.”

The new 24 bed inpatient unit is part of a broader expansion of the Boundary Trails Health Centre campus that includes the addition of a new community services building, enhanced clinical spaces, a new operating theater, expanded Emergency Department, expanded Cancer Care Department, a future Labour and Delivery expansion and Level 2 Nursery.

This expansion would not be possible if it weren’t for the many partners that supported the capital side of this project. The region extends sincere appreciation to the Province of Manitoba for investing in this project and supporting health care services across Southern Health-Santé Sud.

Community support is what brought this project to the forefront. Without the generous support of the community, this expansion would not be possible. The Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation contributed $10 million toward the project, reflecting the region’s strong commitment to strengthening local health care.

“The generosity of donors and community partners has been instrumental in bringing this expansion to life,” said Dana Human, Interim CEO at Southern Health-Santé Sud. “Their support ensures residents can access more services closer to home.”

The region extends a heartfelt thank you to the many clinical and non-clinical teams that have been working tirelessly over the past few years to make this transition possible. As staff begin welcoming patients into the new space, the expanded inpatient unit will help support hospital teams in delivering safe, compassionate care for years to come.

Enhancing access to care in southeastern Manitoba

Patients in southeastern Manitoba are beginning to receive care in newly expanded spaces at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre, marking another significant milestone for health care in the region.

The completed capital expansion includes a 59,000-square-foot addition with 15 new medicine and palliative care beds, three state-of-the-art operating theatres, expanded laboratory services and a dedicated quiet space designed for ceremonies, and family gatherings.

“This expansion represents an important step forward in ensuring Bethesda Regional Health Centre meets the growing health care needs of Steinbach and surrounding communities,” said Kyle MacNair, Implementation Lead for Southern Health-Santé Sud. “The new spaces enhance both our capacity and our ability to deliver modern, patient-centred care for the communities we serve.”

The addition includes private patient rooms with bathrooms and showers, new air-isolation rooms to support infection control, and updated laboratory space capable of providing faster and expanded testing services.

A key component of the project is the new surgical department, featuring three new operating theatres, a pre-operative consultation room and dedicated spaces for pre- and post-operative care. These improvements are expected to support additional surgical capacity and improve patient flow within the hospital.

The expansion also enhances end-of-life care in the region with seven private palliative care rooms, designed to provide comfort, privacy and space for families during difficult times.

The project reflects a strong partnership between the province, regional health leaders and the community. The Bethesda Foundation contributed $8 million toward the expansion, demonstrating the region’s ongoing commitment to strengthening local health services.

“The opening of this expansion reflects years of planning, collaboration and community support,” said Dana Human, Interim CEO for Southern Health-Santé Sud. “Together, we are strengthening health care services so people can receive the care they need, closer to home.”

The region extends a heartfelt thank you to the Bethesda Foundation and the community donors that graciously contributed funds towards this project and to the Province of Manitoba for investing in the expansion of health care services in our region. Lastly, none of this would be possible if it weren’t for the dedication of the clinical and non-clinical teams at Bethesda Regional Health Centre. It has been a busy few years for these teams who have continued to support existing services while planning and training for a seamless transition to the new clinical spaces.

The capital expansion project at Bethesda Regional Health Centre is now complete, marking a major milestone for health care in the community. The project was delivered on time and under budget, with construction spanning 31 months from start to finish.

The first phase of the expansion included the opening of a new renal dialysis unit, which has already enhanced access to specialized care for patients in the region.

The second and final phase adds a two-storey, 59,000-square-foot addition to the facility and introduces 15 new medicine & palliative care beds, a quiet room designed for cultural ceremonies and family gatherings, a new laboratory, and three state-of-the-art operating theatres.

Additional improvements include new shipping and receiving docks, a morgue, shell space for future development, and the refresh of eight rooms within the existing facility.

The project was partially funded by generous community contributions through the Bethesda Foundation, reflecting strong local support for expanded health services. The new spaces are expected to welcome their first patients in March 2026.

Bethesda Regional Health Centre

Construction for the new two-story inpatient unit expansion and community services is now complete. Both spaces are currently undergoing digital and systems installations as well as furniture and equipment setup. Clinical teams moving into these new spaces are undergoing training and orientation in preparation of the officially opening in spring 2026.

Exterior image showing progress of expansion at Boundary Trails Health Centre

Inpatient Unit Interior

Community Services Interior

A CuddleCot was generously donated to Bethesda Regional Health Centre by Manitoba Angel Dresses, a non-profit organization that provides layettes to grieving families of infant loss.

Manitoba Angel Dresses was founded in 2014 and is run by a dedicated group of volunteers. Since 2014 Manitoba Angel Dresses has created 6,013 layettes. Volunteer seamstresses from across Manitoba sew layettes from mostly repurposed wedding gowns, and in 2022 began making knitted and crocheted layettes as well. If you are interested in volunteering for this organization please fill out the volunteer form on their website.

The CuddleCot is a cooling device that supports bereavement care for grieving parents by extending the time they have with their baby. This device is a welcome addition at Bethesda Regional Health Centre where it will be an immense support for our Labour, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum unit. Southern Health-Santé Sud extends heartfelt thanks to Manitoba Angel Dresses for their donation.

Construction of the new building at Bethesda Regional Health Centre has seen significant progress over the past few months. The new facility will house a new lab, 15 medicine beds and three operating theaters. Renovation to reinstate beds on the surgical unit will be undertaken after units are moved to the new building. The construction and implementation teams continue to make strides to ensure all aspects of the project remain on track.

Key highlights of the construction progress include:

• Foundation: concrete foundations and crawlspace slabs are now complete.
• Structural Steel and Metal Deck: all structural steel and metal deck installations are complete, including the connections to the existing hospital on all three levels.
• Exterior Work: exterior walls and windows are nearing completion.
• Interior Work: Interior stud walls completed on all floors.
• Flooring and Finishes: Basement and main floor interior level finishes are proceeding including paint, wall finishes and millwork. Sheet vinyl flooring installation has started in basement and main floor.
• Patient Rooms: installation of patient room headwalls is underway.
• Mechanical Systems: the delivery of major air handlers and mechanical equipment has been completed.
• Renovation Planning: planning for the renovation phase is underway, with schematic design now in progress.

West side of building: concept vs February 2025

Staff entrance: concept vs February 2025

Laboratory: concept vs February 2025

Inpatient Room February 2025