An updated and improved space at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital is being named for a great supporter of the medical facility.
On Thursday, Oct. 2, the Trevor Deeley Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit will be officially opened with a special ceremony with representatives from the hospital, Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation, Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health) and the Capital Regional Hospital District.
Karen Morgan, executive director of the SPHF, says the opening day marks the official conclusion of their fund-raising campaign for the room.
In all, the Foundation raised $2.1 million — the lion’s share of the $3.4 million project.
The rest came from VIHA ($966.000) and the CRHD ($414,000).
“That speaks to the kind of dedication and love people have for their local hospital,” she said.
The care unit is a revamped space in what used to be the hospital’s operating room.
Morgan said a new OR was completed in 2012 to the tune of $6.8 million — of which the SPHF raised $5.2 million.
The new space will be used by staff to bring in patients awaiting surgery and get them ready for their procedure.
It’s also the room where they will come after their operation.
Morgan said the renovation of the space brings it up to current infection control standards and provides a proper nurses’ station.
She added she is pleased with the work, overseen by Canpro, adding that the project is on time and slightly under budget.
On Oct. 2 and again at an open house Oct. 4, supporters of the project will get to see the inside of the room — their only opportunity, she said, noting that as of Oct. 6 the only way anyone will see inside is if they are a patient.
Morgan added the next campaign for the Foundation will be to raise money for a new sterilization room adjacent to the operating theatre.
She said they want to build the room to meet current infection control standards and to increase hospital efficiencies.
Morgan said the current sterilization room was state of the art in the 1970s and has been upgraded over the years to meet standards.
A new space, she continued, will continue that effort.
On Oct. 18, the Foundation holds it annual Gala Evening, kicking off its next major fundraising campaign.
Morgan said the 2014 campaign to raise money for a new CT scanner is almost complete and it’s expected they will be able to purchase the unit soon for planned installation in early 2015.
To find out more about the Gala Evening, call 250-652-7531.
