This is how we care for our health-care workers

Wellness Centre Relaxation Room at The Ottawa Hospital with two reclining massage chairs.

This serene space is free for our health-care workers to enjoy. During the workday, they can drop by one of three onsite Relaxation Rooms for massage chairs, yoga, meditation and more.

At The Ottawa Hospital, we pride ourselves on a strong culture of patient care. Equally important is our commitment to the well-being of our staff and medical staff. We recognize that to care for our community, we must also care for our health-care workers.

Here is a comprehensive list of wellness resources available to all staff and medical staff at The Ottawa Hospital…

Family physicians

Our Wellness Program provides our staff, medical staff and their family members with access to family physicians at our staff Family Medicine Clinic, one of the first clinics of its kind at an Ontario hospital. Since opening its doors in December 2023, the clinic has connected more than 3,200 people with a family physician — and that number keeps growing. In addition to caring for our people, all of our clinic’s family physicians also care for patients out in the community.

Wellness Centres

Located at all three main campuses, The Ottawa Hospital’s Wellness Centres are dedicated spaces that offer onsite health and wellness services.
 

Wellness Centre sign


Mental health appointments

To help their colleagues with challenges faced at home and at work, our Wellness Program psychologist and social worker are available for free onsite and virtual support sessions. Since this program began in 2022, they have booked more than 5,000 sessions.

Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Kii, by CloudMD, is a free program that provides staff, medical staff and their family members with 24/7 access to confidential counselling to support them during stressful circumstances and personal issues, such as financial struggles, legal concerns and relationship challenges. 

Peer Support program

Peer Supporters are staff members who volunteer to provide support to their colleagues who are experiencing stress or issues in their work or personal lives. Currently, more than 2,100 people have received support through this program.

Wellness app

Developed specifically for health-care workers by a team at The Ottawa Hospital, Helium is an easy-to-use and customizable wellness app that provides wellness tips, guided meditation and more helpful features to encourage positive behaviour changes.

Onsite physiotherapy

CBI Health offers onsite rehabilitation services at the General Campus for staff, medical staff, their family members, patients, visitors and members of the community.

Relaxation Rooms

These quiet, calming spaces are perfect for disconnecting and recharging during the workday. Tucked away at each Wellness Centre, our Relaxation Rooms are equipped with yoga mats and full-body massage chairs.

 

Relaxation Room

Here’s another look inside one of our Relaxation Rooms.
 

Schwartz Rounds

This multidisciplinary forum brings health-care providers together to discuss and reflect on the emotional and social aspects that arise in caring for patients and their families.

We’re always looking for new ideas

With suggestions from our people, we continue to expand our offering of wellness resources. Our health-care workers have contributed ideas that have helped to bring concrete improvements (you’ve seen a few of them above) and make The Ottawa Hospital a place where everyone can thrive.