News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

March 18, 2019

New Flin Flon Emergency Department to Officially Open April 1

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Completion of $27.1 Million Project Brings Modern Design, Improved Patient Flow to Community: Pallister

FLIN FLON—Flin Flon General Hospital’s new $27.1-million emergency department, featuring modern design that will improve patient flow, will open to the public on April 1, Premier Brian Pallister announced today.

“People needing emergency care need it quickly,” said Pallister, who toured the new emergency department today. “This government is committed to cleaning up the mess it inherited in health care and this new, modern space will make a real difference for patients, staff and visitors. We are keeping our word and helping patients access better health care sooner, while ensuring staff have the tools they need to provide consistent, reliable care.”

The 14,000-square-foot space is approximately eight and a half times the size of Flin Flon’s current emergency department. It includes four stretcher bays, two treatment rooms, a procedure room, a trauma room, a family consult room, an isolation room/gynecological room, an intravenous therapy room and improved patient access from ambulance to treatment areas.

In addition, a more efficient waiting room layout will allow health-care providers to better monitor patients waiting for care. There is also space to decontaminate patients who have come into contact with hazardous substances, as well as a secure room to manage physically aggressive patients to reduce the risk of injury to the patient and staff.

This project began in June 2016 with the start of demolition. The province funded most of the project, with the Northern Regional Health Authority and community partners providing $950,000 in contributions.

“Our community, our region and all who live here and are served by this new emergency department will benefit from the results of this investment for years to come,” said Helga Bryant, CEO of the Northern Regional Health Authority. “We thank the Northern Health Foundation for bringing our community together to demonstrate their tangible support for this project through the fundraising efforts which helped make this day possible.”

The redevelopment complies with recommendations made in the inquest report into the death of Brian Sinclair.  The new emergency department includes updated mechanical systems as well as specific investments to ensure the facility continues to meet Canadian emergency department best practices, care standards and accreditation requirements.

The new space will improve staff efficiency, resulting in improved patient care as monitored by the emergency department performance indicators. This includes length of stay, waiting time to be seen, length of stay before admission, rates for those left without being seen and patient volumes.

“We are working to make sure the health system is more patient-focused, operates more efficiently and is safe, affordable and sustainable in the long term,” said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen. “This new facility is a key part of that work to ensure Manitoba families can access the right care at the right time in the right place.”

Originally built in 1938 and last updated in 1970, Flin Flon is one of three major centres in the northern health region that offers hospital services. The Flin Flon General Hospital provides emergency services, diagnostic services, hemodialysis, chemotherapy, rehabilitation therapy services, and inpatient and outpatient medical and surgical care to community residents, as well as some residents from Saskatchewan. 

Patients are reminded to continue to access the current emergency department for care until the new area officially opens on April 1.

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