March 26, 2004

BRANDON—A $58 million state-of-the-art redevelopment of the Brandon Regional Health Centre designed to benefit thousands of western Manitobans was officially opened today by Premier Gary Doer.

Area residents will have enhanced access to health care services through the redevelopment of the centre, which serves as a referral centre for over 150,000 Manitobans living in the region.

"This new facility will support the efforts of the Brandon Regional Health Authority (BRHA) in providing the best possible care to Manitobans in this part of the province," said Doer. "This project is the largest investment ever made in health care for western Manitoba and reflects this government’s commitment to providing exceptional health care to Manitobans where they need it most – close to home."

"This project has greatly improved the working environment for many programs and, in addition, afforded us the opportunity to examine the way that we do things," said Carmel Oleson, CEO, BRHA. "Throughout the planning process, staff searched for best practices in facilities within Manitoba and in other jurisdictions and, as a result, many new methods have been introduced and many efficiencies will be gained."

This $58 million redevelopment of the centre includes:

• over 156,000 square feet of new space and the renovation of another 36,000 square feet of existing space;
• a new surgical service, emergency department, labour-delivery-recovery and post-partum rooms, neonatal intensive care, pharmacy and central instrument processing;
• a new ambulatory care department as well as cardiac diagnostics, day medicine, respiratory therapy and adult day rehabilitation on the main floor;
• six additional hemodialysis stations;
• computerization and other information technologies to improve case co-ordination and case management; and
• new information technologies for the scheduling of day surgical procedures, pre-operative preparations and discharge planning.

Another project currently under construction is a state-of-the-art addition to the diagnostic imaging department to house a new MRI as well as rooms for MRI examinations, computers, scan controls and imaging processing, and patient facilities and staff offices.

"This redevelopment of Brandon Regional Health Centre is part of our government’s ongoing plan to build on the fundamentals of health care," said Doer. "We continue to invest in facilities and the training, recruitment and retention of doctors, nurses and other health professionals, and are fostering innovation in technological advancements that help bring patient care and health information to all Manitobans." 

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