Montreal’s Douglas Hospital Faces Devastating Flood in Historic Research Wing
The historic research wing at Montreal’s Douglas Hospital, boasting over 150 years of history, recently experienced a catastrophic flood caused by burst pipes. The incident inundated four crucial laboratories, jeopardizing years of mental health research and sensitive scientific equipment.
According to researchers, this unfortunate event sheds light on the deteriorating state of the aging Verdun health-care and research facility, a concern that has been voiced by staff for quite some time.
McGill associate professor in psychiatry, Mark Brandon, expressed his distress over the recurring issues plaguing the building. Describing the situation as a “recurring nightmare,” Brandon highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the aging infrastructure.
The flooding, which originated on the second floor of the Lehmann Pavilion constructed in 1896, was attributed to adverse weather conditions and aging infrastructure. The water leak resulted in significant damage to the laboratories, with estimates exceeding $1 million in losses for Brandon’s lab alone.
In a distressing account, Brandon recounted the frantic efforts made to salvage valuable equipment as water cascaded into the lab. This incident marks the second instance of water damage at the Lehmann building in recent years, indicating a pressing need for renovations and modernization.
Videos capturing the flooding depict a chaotic scene as water gushes from the ceilings, prompting staff to strategically place bins to contain the leak. The extensive damage has halted vital research activities focusing on mental health, including Alzheimer’s disease, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
Simon Ducharme, the memory clinic director, emphasized the urgent need for revitalizing the Douglas Institute to avoid further setbacks in patient care and research. Despite recent upgrades to the emergency room, the lack of comprehensive renovations has left many areas of the facility in a state of disrepair for years.
While the recent flooding primarily impacted research areas, concerns loom over the potential risks to clinical care sections in the future. Nevertheless, a specialized disaster response team is actively engaged in the cleanup efforts, ensuring the safety and security of the premises.
