"It validates all of the work that has already been done to showcase and prioritize our needs in our Caritas Master Plan and the Acute Care Services Directional plan, and allows us to move forward in confidence with plans to expand and enhance our facilities." This work will take place over the next several years, and will result in an approximate increase of 25% in patient and resident capacity for Caritas Health Group.
In concrete terms, the fall funding announcement confirms that Caritas will be moving ahead with Phase IV of bed reclamation activities at the Grey Nuns and Misericordia Community Hospitals.
At the Misericordia, this includes the redevelopment and relocation of both the Intensive Care Unit and the Intermediate Care Nursery. In addition, facility infrastructure issues at the site will be addressed, and several patient care areas will be redeveloped. "Most of our in-patient structures date back to the 1960s--infrastructure that was fitting for the time," continues Greg. "We need to bring these facilities to a physical standard appropriate for the nature of the services we provide in 2005 and beyond. Our plans include increasing the size of patient rooms, and scaling down unit sizes to about 30 beds." Plans also include some basic infrastructure upgrades, such as new sprinkler and nurse call systems.
At the Grey Nuns—where plans to redevelop patient areas on the third floor and on the fifth floor are already underway—bed reclamation efforts will continue, including redevelopments and improvements on the fourth floor. "Our main priority at the Grey Nuns is to alleviate patient volume issues," explains Greg. "Our Women's Health Program, for example, has grown significantly. We need to meet the increased demand for service, as well as the demands resulting from the increased complexity of service." Redevelopment plans also include opening brand new units on the fifth floor—including a Stroke Unit and Geriatric Assessment Unit and some basic infrastructure upgrades.
The announcement also included funding to replace and modernize outdated long term care beds. Caritas Health Group will be working closely with the region to identify and pursue opportunities to advance our work in continuing care.
"Our thanks goes to the Government of Alberta and Capital health for this opportunity to enhance our ministry," says Sheli Murphy, Interim President. "We look forward to working with our Caritas team and the region to move forward on these exciting opportunities."
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