Island Health provides update on $60M ICU replacement at Nanaimo hospital
Island Health is providing more details on a long-awaited replacement of the intensive care unit (ICU) at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH).
Construction of the new ICU began in early 2021. At the time, the province said a new, permanent, high-acuity unit (HAU) would be part of the project.
On Thursday, Island Health said the new HAU would include 12 beds, an increase from the eight beds that are currently set up at the temporary HAU at NRGH.
The HAU will also include a nurse station and several "support spaces," such as a medication room, family consult room, washroom and utility room.
"The temporary HAU at NRGH was integral to Island Health’s COVID-19 response," said Island Health board chair Leah Hollins in statement Thursday.
"The new, permanent HAU will increase capacity and be equipped to provide patients with higher level, dedicated, specialized care that will help save lives and support the complex care needs of our population," she said.
The new ICU coming to NRGH has room for 12 beds, up from the 10 beds included in the current ICU, which was built in the 1970s.
The overall floorplan for the new ICU is also three times larger than the current one.
Island Health adds that the HAU can provide ICU-level care if there is an "influx of patients" that require intensive care.
ICUs are used for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries, according to Island Health.
Meanwhile, HAUs are used for care that falls between an ICU and a general hospital ward. Patients at an HAU are given acute care and more closely monitored compared to a general ward, but require less resources than an ICU.
"A new HAU, along with the new ICU currently under construction, will help ensure people with critical and acute conditions in the Nanaimo area can receive the care they need, when they need it," said Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan in a statement.
The new ICU is expected to open in June. The new HAU is expected to open in September 2024.
The original budget for construction of the new ICU was around $41.5-million. Construction of the HAU is expected to cost another $18.5-million, bringing the total project cost to around $60-million, according to the province.
Funding for the project comes through Island Health, the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District and the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.