May 30, 2019
Brandon Regional Health Centre Redevelopment Complete
– – –Redevelopment Adds 12 Medical Beds, Enhances Patient Care: Friesen
BRANDON—The completion of a multi-million dollar redevelopment at Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC) will enhance patient care while allowing for the opening of 12 additional medical beds at the facility, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen announced here today.
“The renovations and redevelopment at Brandon Regional Health Centre are helping health-care providers meet patient needs, enhancing access to high-quality services, and providing a more modern space for patients, visitors and staff,” said Friesen. “The completion of this project will give people living in Brandon and the Westman region an improved facility that is well-equipped to provide a high quality of care for years to come.”
Work on the project began in 2016 and was done in four phases. In the first phase, physiotherapy space and the Westman Dreams for Kids Pediatric Unit were relocated from the fifth floor to newly redeveloped space on the second floor. The pediatric unit features seven spacious single rooms, a new playroom, an examination/clinic space, and rooms for nutrition, medication and storage. Safety features include alarmed exit doors, swipe access cards for staff and video surveillance. The ward opened for patients and families at the end of May 2017.
Work on the project’s later phases, which involved the medical unit on the fourth and fifth floors of the health centre, was recently completed. The medical unit is used for the complex care of patients with acute cardiac, respiratory, neurological, renal and gastrointestinal disorders. Other patients served in the medical unit include oncology patients, and those suffering from mental health and addictions issues.
Renovations created 12 additional medical beds in primarily single-patient rooms with washrooms, as well as expanded and improved areas for storage, staff work and family support. Accessible shower areas, upgraded nurse call systems, the installation of card swipe access and the creation of an isolation room were also built to enhance patient safety.
Additionally, upgrades have been made to the roof, electrical and mechanical systems.
“The BRHC is the largest facility within Prairie Mountain Health region and a key hub for patients, families, and residents within an area that spans western Manitoba,” said Penny Gilson, chief executive officer, Prairie Mountain Health region. “These upgrades have further enhanced patient care and we certainly thank the BRHC Foundation for its outstanding work on the Room for Renewal Campaign that raised $600,000 for this project.”
The province invested nearly $15.8 million toward the project, with the remaining $1.1 million for the project coming from the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation’s Rooms for Renewal campaign and Prairie Mountain Health. Since being initially announced, more than $3 million in additional work was added to the project including mechanical and electrical upgrades, replacement of the roof and waste-water lines, and new sprinklers.
“We were very proud to be a part of this major health-centre redevelopment and thank all of our donors who contributed to this very successful campaign,” said Peggy Turnbull, board chair, Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation.
The minister noted the project builds on other recent investments in health care in western Manitoba including funding for 10 new full-time rural paramedic positions in the Prairie Mountain Health region and a new annual investment of $500,000 to support the expansion of dialysis services in the region.
For more information on the Brandon Regional Health Centre, visit:
www.pmh-mb.ca/index.php/8-our-locations/20-brhc.
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