There is a new chemotherapy consultation room at 100 Mile District General Hospital thanks to fundraising and volunteers at the South Cariboo Health Foundation (SCHF).
SCHF Brenda Devine says the room was needed and is clearly appreciated by those who have already benefited from the new space.
Dr. Gordon Hutchinson, the hospital’s general practitioner for oncology (GPO), says he is “absolutely” pleased about this “great and noticeable improvement appreciated by patients, families” and him.
“I think it is going to make a big difference. The main thing is the benefit to patients.”
It facilitates a more comfortable delivery of his cancer consultation services delivered at the local hospital, he explains
Hutchinson says the previous consultation room was tiny.
“It was a cubby hole – you couldn’t get more than one family member inside, and you had to move a chair to open the door.
“I used to do consultations with patients where somebody had their wheelchair wedged in the doorway, and the door was open [while] I talked about kind of confidential things.”
The SCHF funding brought about a new space in larger room, and the installation of a new, hygienic stainless steel sink, a desk, a counter, a row of cupboards and several comfy chairs, as well as an examination table he had previously donated from his own office.
“The foundation actually came up with the funding a year and a half ago, and there was a big delay … so we were all really appreciative when it finally got done,” Hutchinson explains.
Of the $15,473 to complete the new chemo consultation room, Devine says the SCHF contributed about $9,000, with the balance of more than $6,000 funded by the Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District.
She adds the SCHF is very pleased the room has now been completed, and especially glad to be able to present it for Dr. Hutchinson and the current patients and their families during the holiday season.
