The sterile halls of London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) Victoria Hospital now feature something unexpected: a dedicated sanctuary for women undergoing difficult gynecological procedures. As I step through the doors of the new Women’s Health Ambulatory Care Unit, the atmosphere shifts noticeably from the typical clinical environment to something more intentional and warm.
“This is about dignity,” explains Dr. Tracey Crumley, Chair/Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at LHSC, as she guides me through the recently opened 3,300 square foot space. “Before this, women needing certain procedures would be placed in the same recovery areas as general surgery patients. Now they have privacy during what can be emotionally challenging experiences.”
The unit, which opened in December 2023, represents a significant advancement in how women’s healthcare is delivered in southwestern Ontario. It features four procedure rooms, six recovery bays, and two private consultation rooms—seemingly modest improvements that patients describe as transformative.
“I had a procedure in the old space last year and another one here last month,” shares Michelle Taylor, a 42-year-old London resident who required treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding. “It’s night and day. Before, I felt exposed, anxious. This time, I felt like my privacy mattered. That makes all the difference when you’re already dealing with something so personal.”
The dedicated unit handles approximately 1,800 gynecological procedures annually, including hysteroscopies, endometrial ablations, and procedures related to pregnancy loss—all outpatient services that previously lacked dedicated space.
For Kelly Johnson, an LHSC clinical nurse specialist who helped design the unit, the changes address long-standing concerns. “We’ve known for years that the environment matters in healing and patient experience,” she tells me while pointing out the soothing colour palette and thoughtful layout. “Women experiencing pregnancy loss shouldn’t have to recover next to someone who just had knee surgery. Context matters.”
Research from the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows that environmental factors significantly impact patient outcomes. A 2021 study found that specialized care environments can reduce anxiety and improve satisfaction scores by up to 30% compared to general hospital settings.
The unit’s development came after years of advocacy from healthcare providers and patient advocates who recognized the unique needs of gynecological patients. What makes the space particularly effective isn’t just its physical attributes but its dedicated staff trained specifically in women’s health procedures and emotional support.
Dr. Angeline Lok, a gynecologist who performs procedures in the new unit, notes another critical benefit: efficiency. “We can now streamline care in ways that weren’t possible before,” she explains while preparing for her next procedure. “The same team works together consistently, equipment is specialized and always accessible, and we’ve reduced procedure times by about 20 percent.”
This efficiency translates to more than just convenience. According to Ontario Health data, specialized ambulatory care units can reduce healthcare costs by approximately 15% compared to traditional hospital settings while improving access to care.
The unit also addresses a sobering reality in Canadian healthcare: the historical underinvestment in women’s health services. A 2022 Canadian Institute for Health Information report highlighted that despite women accessing healthcare more frequently than men, many women’s health services remain underfunded relative to comparable health priorities.
“This space exists because patients and providers refused to accept the status quo,” says Dr. Crumley. “Women deserve specialized care that acknowledges both their physical and emotional needs during vulnerable moments.”
The unit’s creation wasn’t without challenges. Planning began pre-pandemic, but COVID-19 initially derailed progress as resources shifted to emergency response. Hospital leadership eventually prioritized the project as part of a broader commitment to improving specialized care.
For nurse Diana Woznuk, who has worked in women’s health at LHSC for fifteen years, the new unit represents a philosophical shift as much as a physical one. “We’re finally acknowledging that gynecological care isn’t just another medical service—it’s deeply connected to a person’s sense of self, their fertility, their identity,” she reflects while checking on a patient recovering from a procedure.
This perspective is echoed by patients like Sarah Johnston, who recently underwent testing for endometriosis. “Being in a space designed specifically for women’s health made me feel like my concerns were valid, not an afterthought,” she tells me. “That shouldn’t be revolutionary in healthcare, but somehow it still is.”
As healthcare systems across Canada grapple with resource constraints and growing demands, LHSC’s investment in this specialized unit might offer a model for targeted improvements that deliver significant patient benefits without requiring massive infrastructural overhauls.
For the women of southwestern Ontario who will undergo procedures in this space—approximately 5-6 each day the unit operates—the impact transcends the physical environment. It’s about recognition that their healthcare needs deserve thoughtful, dedicated attention.
“We’re not finished,” Dr. Crumley notes as our tour concludes. “This unit represents progress, but we still have work to do in elevating women’s healthcare across all services. This is just the beginning.”
As I leave the hospital grounds, I’m struck by how something relatively small—four procedure rooms and six recovery bays—can represent such a meaningful shift in healthcare delivery. Sometimes dignity comes in 3,300 square feet.