Casey House, Canada’s first and only free-standing hospital for people living with HIV/AIDS, recently celebrated the opening of its expansion in Toronto, which includes the renovation of an existing heritage structure, as well as the addition of a new state-of-the-art, four-storey facility.

Ontario invested over $38 million in the redevelopment of the facility, which now spans 58,000 square feet. The expansion provides extra space for a new day-health program that will allow 350 more people to access treatment through a combination of clinical services and community programs. This will more than double the number of people the hospital can serve, for a total capacity of 650.

The expansion brings all Casey House programs and services into one location. This will increase access to advanced care and provide a better overall experience for patients, from crisis to end-of-life care. The new facility and programs will also help encourage more social interaction to reduce the isolation and stigma often associated with the disease, and improving people’s overall health and quality of life.

Casey House provides patients living with HIV/AIDS with access to inter-professional teams, including nurses, mental health specialists, substance-use workers, massage therapists and other specialists in the new day-health program’s therapy rooms and community space. Patients will also have access to private inpatient beds, as well as space to provide 24-hour specialized support for those who require short-term intensive care.

“Casey House’s new redevelopment project is offering more people living with HIV/AIDS the specialized treatment and social interactions they need in a new and spacious facility,” said Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, in a press release. “By improving these services and programs, we are ensuring that people living with HIV/AIDS have access to high-quality care, closer to home.”