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June 17, 2009 PROVINCE INVESTS $3 MILLION IN NEW PARAMEDIC STATION, INFECTION-CONTROL UPGRADES IN STE. ROSEThe province is investing $3 million in new and renovated health-care facilities in Ste. Rose including a new emergency medical services (EMS) station, Health Minister Theresa Oswald announced today.
“We are committed to strengthening and renewing health-care infrastructure in Manitoba’s rural communities,” said Oswald. “The important upgrades we’re announcing today will help ensure front-line medical personnel can continue to deliver quality care to Parkland residents.”
A new, larger emergency medical services facility in Ste. Rose will provide EMS staff with their own training and office space – necessary since the region now has on-site paramedics around the clock.
The minister noted an increased number of in-house paramedics will continue to improve ambulance service to Ste. Rose and surrounding communities. The expanded EMS station will allow crews to store and maintain the ambulance and other specialized equipment used to save lives in the region.
“These are important investments that continue to strengthen health care in our region,” said Conservation Minister Stan Struthers. “The province is investing both in infrastructure as well as the people who provide critical medical care in the Parkland.”
“Our region and the province are working hand in hand to continually improve patient care, improve our facilities and support the work of our staff,” said Allan Bradley, chief executive officer of the Parkland Regional Health Authority. “We’re extremely pleased to be moving forward on these very important upgrades.”
The ministers also announced today the Ste. Rose General Hospital will be renovated to add a negative-pressure patient-isolation room. Such rooms are used to prevent the spread of air-borne infections and are designed to make sure that air-borne infections are not transferred from the negative-pressure room to other parts of the facility.
“Our hospital can continue to offer excellent health-care services and quality of care for residents in our part of the region, thanks to important patient safety enhancements like the negative-pressure room,” said Tony Fraser, chief executive officer of the Ste. Rose General Hospital.
The recently built Swan Valley Health Centre in Swan River also has a negative-pressure isolation room.
Other safety and security improvements are also underway including:
· an improved nurse call system for Ste. Rose and Roblin to enhance communication between patients and staff;
· a Wanderguard system upgrade in Ste. Rose and eight other sites in the region so staff can confirm the location of patients, improving safety; and
· a comprehensive asbestos-removal project for Ste. Rose Hospital to ensure the safety and health of staff and patients.
The renovations and upgrades are expected to be completed by early 2010.
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