History and Profile

RVH building in 1897

The Renfrew Victoria Hospital first opened in 1897 with 12 beds for contagious disease. By 1912 the bed capacity rose to 30 and Renfrew Victoria Hospital became a Public General Hospital.

A tragic fire in January 1926 destroyed the original building and a new hospital with a 50 bed capacity was completed later that year.

The Hospital was originally governed by a Committee from Town Council and in 1922 under a special act of the Ontario Legislature with ownership vested in the Town of Renfrew.

The Hospital continued under Municipal ownership until 1961 when, again by special act of parliament, ownership was transferred from the Civic authorities to an independent corporation known as the Board of Governors and composed of representatives from the Town of Renfrew and surrounding Townships.

RVH building in the past

In October 1963, a major building and renovation program was completed which saw the Hospital grow to 101 active treatment beds. A Rehabilitation Centre with 35 beds located on the former Barnet property on Raglan Street South opened in 1952 as a convalescent rehabilitation unit. This centre was closed out of service in 1976.

In November 1978 another renovation project took place and was completed in April 1980.

In 1994 a new Dialysis Unit serving Renfrew County was completed accommodating the needs of 48 patients. This Unit was again expanded in 1999 with an addition to the Hospital.

Current RVH building

On November 30, 2001, RVH opened a new Emergency/Ambulatory Care wing, adding 13,000 square feet to the existing hospital.

In March 2015, RVH completed a 23,000 square foot Nephrology Centre. For the first time since the program began in 1993, every aspect of patient's care for kidneys - education, clinics, treatment - is consolidated in the same area of the hospital.

School of Nursing

The Victoria Hospital School of Nursing was opened in 1902 with a capacity of 30 students, graduating 10 students per year. As nursing education moved under the jurisdiction of community colleges the school was subsequently closed in 1965.

General Facts:

Accreditation

Four year exemplary accreditation by the Accreditation Canada

Bargaining Units

Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1548

Ontario Nurses Association Local 108

Personnel

450 staff

Operating Budget

2021/2022 - $45,000,000

Size of Building

107,204 square feet

Services Offered

Emergency

24 hours Emergency Service

InPatient

  • Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Complex Continuing Care
  • Special Care Unit

Diagnostic

  • Laboratory
  • Medical Imaging (includes CT, radiology, mammography, bone density, ultrasound)

Rehabilitative

  • Physiotherapy
  • Recreology
  • Speech and LanguageTherapy
  • Respiratory Therapy

Ambulatory

  • Ambulatory Blood Pressure
  • Audiology
  • Bone Density
  • Chiropody
  • Day Care Surgery
  • Diabetes Education
  • Dialysis
  • Geriatric
    • Geriatric Assessment
    • Geriatric Mental Health
    • Geriatric Day Hospital
  • Gynecology
  • Holter Monitor Recording
  • Internal Medicine
    •  Pulmonary Function and Stress Testing
    • Pulmonary Function & Echo
  • IntraOccular Lens Measurement
  • Oncology Clinic
  • Ontario Breast Screening Program
  • Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat) Clinic
  • Orthodist
  • Ophthalmology Clinic
  • Mammography Clinic
  • Pacemaker Clinic
  • Pediatric Clinic
  • Respirology
  • Sleep Lab
  • Urology
  • Ultrasound
  • Wound Care Clinic

Out-Reach Programs

  • Assisted Living Program
  • Addiction Treatment Services
  • Palliative Care
  • Diabetic Counselling

Teaching Participation

  • Personal Support Worker Program
  • Nursing Students
  • Student Co-Op Program - Highschool & College
  • Diagnostic Imaging Program

Community Related

  • Meals-on-Wheels Program