Summary

Nanaimo Regional General Hospital has opened a new 12-bed high-acuity unit designed for patients with complex health needs, enhancing capacity and care quality. This $18.5 million facility replaces an interim unit from the COVID-19 pandemic and includes significant improvements such as private bathrooms, expandable beds, and better electrical access. The unit is set to begin accepting patients on August 28, and local MLAs emphasize ongoing efforts to address additional healthcare needs in the region.

Details

Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) has officially opened a new 12-bed high-acuity unit, significantly enhancing its capacity to care for patients with complex health needs. This state-of-the-art facility replaces an interim unit established during the COVID-19 pandemic and adds four additional beds, allowing for better accommodation of patients who require more intensive care than a standard hospital ward but less than what is provided in an intensive care unit (ICU).

The $18.5 million high-acuity unit features numerous improvements designed to enhance patient comfort and safety. According to Jane Marriott, Island Health’s clinical lead for the unit, the facility includes private bathrooms and showers in every room, expandable beds for family members, and improved electrical outlets to eliminate tripping hazards. "It is a game-changer in terms of our ability to provide care for the patients and the families that need it," Marriott stated, highlighting the unit's modern amenities and design.

The opening of this unit comes on the heels of a new 12-bed ICU that was inaugurated just over two years ago, which cost $41.6 million and was built to replace an outdated facility that had been labeled the most dangerous in Canada in 2013. Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo, emphasized the positive impact of the new unit on healthcare worker recruitment and retention, noting that it represents a significant advancement in local healthcare services.

While the new high-acuity unit is a welcome addition, there are ongoing discussions about further improvements needed at NRGH, particularly in cardiac services and the construction of a new patient tower. Island Health is currently collaborating with clinicians and partners to develop a comprehensive plan for enhancing cardiac services across Vancouver Island. The new high-acuity unit is set to begin accepting patients on August 28, marking a pivotal moment for healthcare in the region.

Sources

• CHEK: https://cheknews.ca/new-12-bed-high-acuity-unit-opens-at-the-nanaimo-hospital-1274383/