#CountdownToThomsonCentre: Check out MGH’s new main lobby, information desk and registration area

#CountdownToThomsonCentre shares the features of Michael Garron Hospital’s (MGH) new Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre, also known as the Thomson Centre, which opens to patients, families and caregivers on January 23, 2023. Follow along as we count down to the opening by marking different milestones and highlighting the ways the Thomson Centre helps improve the care MGH provides the community!

This week, we’re highlighting the new main lobby, information desk and registration area in the Thomson Centre.

The main lobby, located on the first floor, is the largest and most central space in the Thomson Centre.

In this space, patients will be able to register for their appointments in a central registration area, located conveniently beside the new hospital main entrance (opening in 2024) and elevators from the underground parking garage.

Once MGH’s full campus redevelopment is complete, the main lobby will include an information desk staffed by volunteers that will replace the current desk in the existing Coxwell Lobby.

Features of MGH’s new main lobby

• Bright and easy-to-find information desk and seating areas, which offer a functional gathering space for patients, families, caregivers and visitors
• Spacious registration area equipped with technologies that help patients more easily register for appointments while minimizing line-ups
• Donor wall recognizing our community’s contributions to MGH, including donors to the MGH Foundation's Heart of the East Campaign
• New retail spaces, including the new home of the General Store at MGH and the Moez and Marissa Kassam Food Court

Benefits for patients and community

A central registration area will allow patients to check in at one registration desk, instead of at multiple clinic-specific areas. This will be especially helpful for patients who have multiple appointments at different clinics in one day.

Once registered, staff will give patients clear directions on how to get to their appointment and who they will be seeing.

The addition of a new food court and retail spaces will allow families to eat and shop during waiting times. Within this space, there will be ample seating in flexible arrangements to accommodate various seating layouts and accessibility needs.

Other important information

On January 23, 2023, the hospital will open a new entrance off of Sammon Avenue. The Sammon entrance is conveniently located to provide quick access to the Thomson Centre main lobby and registration area. For a brief period from 2023-24, this entrance will serve as the hospital's temporary main entrance while MGH's new permanent driveway and entrance is under construction.

During this time, there will be a temporary information desk located just inside the Sammon Avenue entrance doors. This entrance has an accessibility ramp, a layby for vehicle pick-ups and drop-offs and an inside waiting area for patients.

Starting in 2024, the Thomson Centre Lobby will replace MGH’s current Coxwell Lobby as the hospital’s permanent main entrance. The permanent information desk (located beside patient registration) will also open at this time.

Take a look at MGH’s new main lobby, information desk and registration area in the Thomson Centre in the video below!