Humber River hospital will be the first in North America to go completely digital. Bedside terminals will allow patients to control their environment and order room service, beds will monitor patients and update records, while automated vehicles will deliver supplies and equipment.

Jerry Jeter, healthcare principal at HDR, said: “Although many hospitals have digital components, Humber River is the first to fully integrate and automate all its processes.”

The project is a partnership between Humber River Regional Hospital, Infrastructure Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and Plenary Health Care Partnerships.

Plenary will design, build, finance and maintain the hospital for 30 years. HDR is providing architectural and healthcare consulting services.

The hospital will be built from glass, metal panels, precast concrete and masonry. The building comprises three main areas: a 14-storey inpatient tower with 656 beds, a clinic block and a diagnostic and treatment podium.

Next to the hospital building is the South Plaza, centrepiece of the campus. The terraced plaza will be used for community events.