$1 billion-plus, state-of-the-art hospital is being planned in Los Gatos
El Camino Health has proposed a new $1 billion-plus hospital in Los Gatos to replace an aging facility that no longer meets state seismic standards. The proposed 344,000-square-foot campus at 815 Pollard Rd. would more than double the size of the current hospital and is expected to open by 2032, according to plans submitted to the city on Monday.
What will the new Los Gatos hospital include?
The proposed medical center will feature 122 single-occupancy rooms, which are larger than the current rooms. While the new facility will have slightly fewer rooms overall, it eliminates the shared-room layout used in the existing building, according to El Camino Health.
Plans submitted to the city outline 12 operating rooms and an expanded emergency department with 25 bays. The facility will include enhanced stroke-receiving capabilities and expanded surgical services.
Specialized care will also expand. The proposal includes a Level III neonatal intensive care unit for enhanced maternity and newborn care, as well as an enhanced heart and vascular program featuring interventional cardiology.
Why is El Camino Health rebuilding the facility?
The current hospital no longer meets state-mandated seismic standards, El Camino Health stated. Officials also noted that the existing structure cannot support advanced and emerging medical technologies available to physicians and patients.
CEO Dan Woods said the project is a milestone in meeting the expanding healthcare needs of Los Gatos, Campbell, and surrounding areas. Dr. Alan Muster, president of El Camino Health Medical Network, described the rebuild as a way to combine community-focused medicine with clinical innovation.
How will the project impact the environment and community?
The new medical center would be the first all-electric hospital in Los Gatos. Healthcare provider officials believe this design could contribute to a reduction in carbon emission levels.
El Camino Health has already invested more than $300 million in clinical services and renovations since 2009. The organization also provided $1.4 million in community grants, including funding for a local school district.
Paul Johnson, superintendent of the Los Gatos Union School District, stated the hospital rebuild will renew the organization’s role as a community anchor.
What happens next for the Pollard Road site?
Construction is likely to occur on a site adjacent to the current medical center. El Camino Health stated the current hospital will remain in operation continuously while the new facility is built.
The project may reach completion sometime in 2032, provided the proposal moves forward. This would follow the organization’s recent pattern of purchasing properties in multiple South Bay locations and modernizing facilities in Mountain View.
Comparison of Facilities
- Current Hospital: 138,000 square feet; shared patient rooms; opened 1962.
- Proposed Hospital: 344,000 square feet; 122 private rooms; all-electric design.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the new hospital expected to open?
The project is expected to be completed and open sometime in 2032.
Will medical services be interrupted during construction?
No. The current hospital will remain in operation continuously while the new one is built on an adjacent site.
What is the estimated cost of the project?
The total project cost is expected to top $1 billion.
Do you think all-electric hospitals will become the new standard for medical construction in California?