September 14, 2017
Selkirk Regional Health Centre Celebrates Grand Opening
SELKIRK—Manitoba’s newest regional hospital celebrated its grand opening in Selkirk today with a ceremony attended by the province’s health minister and community representatives.
“The new Selkirk Regional Health Centre better accommodates residents’ health-care needs and the delivery of health-care services in the region,” said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Kelvin Goertzen. “This state-of-the-art, environmentally responsible and efficient facility doubles the size of the former hospital. It features enhanced clinical services, increased beds and improved patient safety, comfort and privacy, all with a view to embrace a more holistic approach to patient care and staff well-being.”
The minister noted the new health centre reflects the region’s history and culture and, at the same time, improves the flow of people, information and materials when delivering care. He also noted the new health centre is an instrumental part of efforts to recruit new care providers to the area.
At 180,506 square feet, the new regional health centre is more than two times larger than the old hospital. There are an additional 12 beds in the new facility including 53 medical/surgical beds, eight obstetrical beds and four special care beds. The health centre will also offer four bariatric beds for obese patients.
More than 80 per cent of the rooms are single-bed rooms to improve patient safety, comfort and privacy, compared to 20 per cent in the old hospital.
“New and improved opportunities for care in our regional health centre benefit all residents across the Interlake-Eastern region,” said Ron Van Denakker, chief executive officer of the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority. “This facility is a focal point in our work with communities across the region to establish a clinical teaching unit that will see us educating future health-care professionals. Teaching units like this are key to attracting new graduates to the region as well as health-care professionals who want to be mentors.”
Van Denakker thanked the community and staff members who worked with the design team to develop the new centre.
In consultation with key construction partners and local communities, leading practices in health care gathered from across North America were incorporated into the new health centre to ensure its long-term sustainability and provide an environment of well-being for patients and staff.
Annette Spence-Meeches, councillor with Peguis First Nation, spoke on behalf of Chief Glenn Hudson and acknowledged the history of the land where the new regional health centre is located. Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson spoke about the health centre’s economic benefits to the city and its role in physician recruitment to the Interlake-Eastern region.
Construction of the new health centre began in spring 2014 and the first patients moved in June 25.
For more information on health-care services in the region, visit www.ierha.ca.
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Backgrounder
Backgrounder - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2017/09/Backgrounder_-_RLS-Selkirk_Hospital_Opening-HL.pdf