91原创

91原创 Memorial Hospital鈥檚 emergency department expansion is mostly complete with the facility expecting to start treating patients there in early May, but don鈥檛 expect fanfare.

The pandemic means any celebration of the $45-million project will have to wait.

鈥淎 time of celebration will come, and let鈥檚 hope it鈥檚 sooner than later,鈥� said Jason Cook, executive director of 91原创 Memorial Hospital.

He said provincial health orders dictate what can happen, and the priority has to be the ability of patients to receive safe care and staff to be as safe as possible

鈥淎ny non-essential events would not be supported at this point of where we鈥檙e sitting,鈥� Cook said.

The hospital remained open and operational during construction, which began in 2019.

鈥淥ur build has been adjacent to the current emerg so our challenges have been more around the noise and tie into our current hospital structure,鈥� he explained.

鈥� READ MORE: 91原创鈥檚 $30 million ER expansion moving ahead

The provincial government, through Fraser Health, is providing $29.32 million toward the project. The 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation is contributing $10 million, which includes a $1.5-million contribution from the 91原创 Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

The project included an MRI suite, which started operation in early 2021.

鈥淲e鈥檙e so proud of the pivotal role donors played in making this day possible,鈥� said Heather Scott, executive director of the foundation. 鈥淭he updated, expanded emergency department honours our residents, our great staff and our strong community, and the commitment to health care shown through generous donations has created a lasting legacy that will benefit 91原创 and surrounding communities for years to come.鈥�

Exciting announcement today for patients in about the expanded Emergency Department at 91原创 Memorial Hospital鈥檚 Emergency Department to open in early May. Read more:

鈥� Fraser Health (@Fraserhealth)

The new ER means the old 31 treatment bays will expand to 49. The ER, built in 1986, had one trauma bay. Now there are two. There鈥檚 a decontamination area, and a specific area for handling mental health and drug use emergencies.

鈥淎n elder-friendly code has been applied throughout the build,鈥� Cook noted.

That means making changes so it鈥檚 easier for seniors to navigate the ER. As well, there鈥檚 a dedicated pediatric area in the ER so children are less frightened.

鈥� READ MORE: 91原创鈥檚 hospital auxiliary pinches pennies to kick in $1.5 million for ER expansion

Cook said the expanded department will expedite care and ER staff were included in the design.

When the ER was first built, it saw about 25,000 patient visits per year. Now the number sits at 44,000. By 2025, the facility is expected to have about 55,000 patient visits annually.

91原创 MLA Andrew Mercier noted that the construction carried on while the facility was open but then the pandemic hit, adding unforeseen complications.

鈥淚 am just floored by the commitment and professionalism of everyone involved,鈥� he said.

With the ER nearing completion, the emphasis moves from construction to finishing and adding in the equipment and furnishings.

鈥淲e are so excited about the clinical advancements,鈥� Cook said.

The staff will have to be trained on new equipment.

The hospital foundation, which raises funds to provide support to the local hospital, has its sights set on the future now that the ER is just about done.

Scott said the other medical areas and long-term care areas are the next parts of the hospital the foundation wants to help with because 鈥渙ur work is far from done.鈥�