Episode Summary
In this lively and metaphor-rich episode, Stewart Wong, Vice President of Strategy, Sustainability and Communications, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital shares the story of the hospital's bold journey to solve one of its most complex and urgent challenges: space optimisation during a period of rapid staffing growth and evolving healthcare delivery.
Faced with outdated allocation processes, post-pandemic uncertainty, and a wave of new hires for a specialised paediatric program, the hospital needed more than quick fixes—it needed a transformation in how space was managed, allocated, and governed.
Through a blend of humour, Star Trek nods, and serious insights, Stewart reveals how Holland Bloorview reimagined its approach with clearly defined governance, innovative process design, and deep staff engagement—resulting in the creation of 90 new workspaces and 25 new treatment areas without a single capital redevelopment.
Key Themes
Space as Strategy
The hospital’s original design never accounted for future growth. Stewart outlines how that led to overcrowding, makeshift solutions, and inefficiencies.
“Temporary” fixes turned into longer-term stressors, increasing frustration for both staff and patients.
Governance in Action
The creation of a Space Management Committee ensured clear, equitable decision-making processes.
Space allocation policies were formalised and reinforced with tech-enabled tools like “Megamation” to centralise requests and consultations.
Designing with Purpose
Principles like “maximise utilisation” guided every decision—ensuring shared ownership and demonstrating leadership by example.
Engagement was key: walkabouts, surveys, and user input shaped layouts that prioritised team co-location, client privacy, and workflow efficiency.
Transformation Without Construction
Stewart walks us through two successful redesigns on the fifth and second floors, resulting in:
Consolidated clinical teams
Smarter use of hybrid/remote work trends
Dramatically increased space efficiency within existing infrastructure
Why You Should Listen
Whether you’re managing a healthcare facility, planning for growth, or tackling complex infrastructure problems, this episode offers a masterclass in how to blend innovation, empathy, and execution.
Stewart shows that sometimes the boldest innovations don’t require building new wings—but building better ways to work together.
Quotable Moment
“We didn’t have a space problem—we had a space utilisation problem.”
Takeaways
Clear governance and decision-making policies reduce chaos.
Engaging staff early and often leads to more sustainable change.
Innovation isn’t just tech—it’s process, people, and culture.
Humour and humility go a long way when managing tough change.
🎧 Listen now to hear how Holland Bloorview turned a “Space Jam” into a blueprint for smarter hospital growth.
