NHH Master Planning
Growing Care for the Future
Northumberland is growing.
Population projections for the County indicate growth of 22% in the next twenty years, growing from 92,500 in 2021 to 112,800 in 2041.
At the same time as our communities are growing, a significant portion of the population is also aging, resulting in increasingly complex acute care needs. The aging effect is significant for local hospital care, as over 75% of acute inpatient days are among patients 65+.
Northumberland already has a greater percentage of population aged 65+ versus Ontario with the 65+ cohort predicted to grow to 34.5% of our Northumberland population by 2036 (vs 22.5% Ontario-wide).
Opened 22 years ago, in October 2003, Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) will soon maximize available capacity: the pressures between patient volumes, acuity and capacity to serve are great and growing greater each day.
NHH is conducting a collaborative Master Planning process to determine needs for hospital services and space in the coming decades. Our goal: a long-term redevelopment roadmap and final proposal for submission and approval by the Ministry of Health.
Over a 12-month period, from May 2025 through May 2026, we are reaching out far and wide—connecting with residents, patients, families, and partners across all the communities we serve—to gather input.
Overseen by a Master Planning Steering Committee, and supported by subject matter experts in master planning, architecture and design, and data analysis and projections, NHH’s new Master Plan will be co-designed by patients, caregivers, providers, volunteers and partners.
Join our Master Planning conversations as we:
- Build on the existing strengths of NHH;
- Consider new opportunities and needs identified during visioning exercises and community consultations;
- Address current and anticipated government direction regarding hospital service sustainability;
- Position NHH for the necessary Ministry of Health approval and support to advance future growth;
- Define NHH’s role as a strong medium-sized hospital within an increasingly interconnected system;
- Consider how NHH can be an environmental steward by creating a sustainably accountable organization;
- Leverage innovation and technology and future proof care for generations to come; and
- Inform NHH’s next Strategic Plan
Share feedback through our e-survey, join a discussion at one of our Growing Care for the Future Virtual Forums, and read highlights of the information shared. Learn more on these pages and all our communication channels as our Master Planning – Growing Care for the Future process evolves. Thank you in advance for joining the conversation!
Questions?
Your interest and input is important. Please reach out to Jennifer Gillard, VP, Public Affairs, Patient Experience and Strategic Partnerships at jgillard@nhh.ca or Micol Marotti, Communications Officer, mmarotti@nhh.ca
A message from our President and CEO, Susan Walsh
Master Planning at a Glance
Growing Care for the Future Forums
Join us for one or all of our Growing Care for the Future Forums to learn more about services today, population projections and expected needs. Learn about NHH, the Master Planning process and share your input on how you would like NHH to Grow Care for the Future.
Forum #1 – NHH Today
November 27, 2025 – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM - In this virtual forum, we’ll share an overview of NHH services today, current service volumes, highlights of growth projects already under way (such as our 4th OR, Diagnostic Imaging, Pharmacy and Medical Device Reprocessing Department projects) and the community growth projections predicted for our area by the Ministry of Finance.
Forum #2 – Inpatient Priorities and Strategic Partnerships
December 10, 2025 – In this second virtual forum, we’ll build on the information shared in Forum #1 and take a deeper look at NHH’s inpatient priorities, including medical services, surgical services, intensive care, post-acute and palliative.. We’ll share an overview of NHH’s inpatient programs today, highlights of rising inpatient service needs we’re expecting based on recent growth and have a generative discussion on the alignment of current/future needs and strategic partnership opportunities in our inpatient areas to enhance local care.
- Registration coming soon
Forum #3 – Outpatient Priorities and Strategic Partnerships
January 28, 2025 – In our third virtual forum, we’ll look at NHH’s outpatient services, including emergency services, ambulatory clinics, cancer and supportive care, dialysis and community mental health and addiction services. We’ll share an overview of outpatient programs today, highlights of the rising needs we’re expecting based on recent growth and have a generative discussion on current / future needs and strategic partnership opportunities in our outpatient areas to enhance local care.
- Registration coming soon
E-Survey
Not able to attend a virtual forum? Have your say in this short survey.