The addition of two new operating rooms should make a major dent in surgery backlogs at Nanaimo Regional General.
Island Health notified the Regional District of Nanaimo earlier this year of its plans to proceed with construction of two new ORs at NRGH, at a cost of $3 million.
Last week, the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation kicked off a campaign to raise half that amount, which would ease residents' tax burden.
With a $900,000 contribution from Island Health, plus the Hospital Foundation portion, the RDN would pick up the remaining $600,000 in costs.
The new ORs would complement eight opened in 2005 at NRGH.
Currently, the hospital schedules elective surgery in the daytime, with emergency surgeries in the evening, once the day's slate of elective surgery is complete.
With limited OR space, "nurses and surgeons are working through the evenings, into the wee hours of morning to get these surgeries," said Suzanne Vinden, NRGH operating room manager.
"This allows us to start emergency surgeries at eight o'clock in the morning."
Additional surgical facilities "will contribute to the health and well-being of patients and their families in the region," said Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health for Healthy Living.
"The improved patient flow will also support the important work of the operating room teams."
The foundation kicked off its $1.5-million fundraising campaign April 2. "The Foundation is extremely pleased to partner with the Regional Hospital District and Island Health in order to facilitate the most progressive medical care possible for Central Vancouver Islanders," said Jim Crist, Chair of the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation Board. "By expanding access to NRGH's surgical suite we are better able to serve our community's health care needs. Making a true difference is what inspires our donors to help."
Foundation president Maeve O'Byrne expects donors to "rally behind" the project, which will make a significant difference, especially for emergency surgery.
