October 24, 2001

Health Minister Dave Chomiak today officially opened the new emergency and admitting department of the Thompson General Hospital following renovations that include $10.7 million in improvements to several areas of the hospital and new equipment.

The equipment list includes a new $1.4 million CT scanner used to diagnose brain and spinal cord injuries and diseases, as well as diseases of the liver, lungs, kidneys and other abdominal organs.

"This renovation project will have a great impact on our ability to bring better medical care to the citizens in the northern region of our province," said the minister. "The citizens of this region and the Burntwood Regional Health Authority are to be congratulated for planning and co-ordinating a mega renovation that provided impressive upgrading to this facility, both inside and out.

"Also, I have no doubt that having this new CT scanner will significantly reduce the need for people to travel to Winnipeg for this service, and doctors will be in a position to make their diagnosis and begin treatment much faster."

"This hospital is a vital and important medical centre for this region," said Karen McClelland, CEO of the Burntwood Regional Health Authority. "This emergency department is the main trauma centre, receiving and stabilizing critical patients until they can be transferred to a tertiary centre in Winnipeg.

"The ER also provides backup to the three primary hospitals/health centres in Lynn Lake, Leaf Rapids and Gillam and is the primary referral site for many nursing stations throughout the region. These improvements not only enhance the workplace but add to the efficiency of the staff who work here."

Renovations completed this spring included improvements to the front lobby and waiting area plus the admitting department. Redevelopment of the emergency department included:

• two trauma rooms with state-of-the-art equipment,
• four exam/treatment rooms,
• a minor surgery,
• a cast room,
• a pastoral care room for families,
• an improved ambulance entrance, and
• a new CT scanner

"The Thompson General Hospital is the focal point for health care for the community," said Steve Ashton, minister of transportation and government services. "Today’s announcement enhances the ability of the hospital to meet the needs of residents of Thompson, the surrounding area and all of Northern Manitoba. We are pleased that the government has been able to support this project to more effectively meet the health care needs of northerners and the community of Thompson."

"We are currently in the process of training staff to operate the CT scanner," said Dr. Leigh Wincott, vice-president of medical/chief of staff of the Burntwood Regional Health Authority. "Diagnostic imaging equipment has become a key component of today's health system."

Wincott also pointed out that the emergency department project includes the amalgamation of the existing three-bed special care unit and the observation unit. "This will be more efficient for the nursing staff who provide care for these units and will mean more consistent special care services for the residents of Burntwood."

Other upgrades to the hospital involved improvements to the structure itself, such as:

• fire safety upgrades,
• hot water heating system replacement and upgrades,
• re-roofing,
• medical gas system upgrades to current standards,
• upgrade to heating and cooling coils, and
• replacement of windows, insulation and exterior re-cladding.

The Thompson General Hospital serves approximately 45,000 residents of the Burntwood Region.

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