WATCH: The new MUHC super hospital has been inaugurated, but it isn’t quite running like clockwork. Global’s Gloria Henriquez explains five things people need to know when visiting the Glen Site.
MONTREAL – The MUHC has been officially inaugurated, but there’s still some ironing out to do.
Many are unclear about how to get to the Glen Site, not to mention how to prepare for their visits at a hospital that doesn’t seem fully ready to accept visitors.
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From getting there to getting around, here are 5 things you need to know before going to the MUHC:
Driving there
Just getting to the new MUHC is a big, confusing issue for many Montrealers because of the amount of detours and construction.
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Anyone driving in from the west should note that the Saint Jacques overpass will remain under construction for at least another two years.
It’s supposed reopen in the fall of 2017.
Public transport
For anyone taking public transportation, the options are simple: the bus, the train or the metro to Vendôme.
The 77 bus is a great option for people with reduced mobility because it goes directly from Lionel-Groulx metro to the front steps of the hospital.
READ MORE: Is the #77 bus a good alternative to access the MUHC?
The Vendôme exit has a semi-direct tunnel connecting the station to the hospital, but it’s not easily accessible to people with reduced mobility – bad news for a lot patients.
“This is an open site and in the winter it’s going to be very tough,” said Maureen Kelly, co-president of the Westmount Municipal Association.
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The Ministry of Transport has promised to build a reduced mobility access to the tunnel, but it won’t open for a couple of years.
Parking problems
Hospital parking is not cheap.
At one of the Glen Site parking lots, the $25 per day fee kicks in right after 19 minutes.
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“We all understand there has to be fees that need to be charged. But we don’t want those fees to be abusive,” said Lionel Perez, city councillor in charge of infrastructure.
“I think it’s just a question of common sense. We understand that the hospital needs to cover the costs but they shouldn’t try to make it as a profit generator.”
BYOC: Bring your own cash
There are no ATM bank machines on site yet – a huge challenge for anyone who’s strapped for cash while visiting a loved one in the hospital.
Elizabeth McPhedran, a spokesperson for the MUHC, told Global News the ATMs should be installed shortly – but she couldn’t give an exact date.
Bring a snack
The MUHC is still negotiating final contracts with vendors, so there isn’t a single shop open and ready for business.
There is a cafeteria and a few vending machines there. But that is for the whole hospital.
The company in charge of the project, SNC-Lavalin, said this should be soon solved.
“We are in the final stages of closing the agreements entitling the McGill Healthcare Infrastructure Group (MHIG) to move forward with all the retailers in the commercial space,” said Diane Rivard, a spokesperson for the company.
“The MUHC community will have access to an on-site pharmacy, gift stores, cafés, restaurants , automatic teller machines, financial services, florist, bookstore, toy store, etc. The construction of these commercial spaces will soon begin with the goal of initiating the openings before fall 2015.
For anyone who has any questions, volunteers are on site and a service desk is available to answer any and all inquires.
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