“This is wonderful news for Saanich Peninsula residents and South Island residents in general,” said Murray Coell, MLA, Saanich North and the Islands. “The Provincial Government is pleased to invest $2.6 million in these upgrades that will allow the Saanich Peninsula Hospital to meet the latest – and highest – national standards, and will ensure increasing future demands for surgical services are met across the South Island.”
The upgrades are divided into two components: the creation of a new operating room suite (valued at $6.4 million), and electrical upgrades (valued at $3.1 million). In 2007, 2008 and 2009, the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation raised $5 million for the operating room upgrades.
“SPH is an important part of our community, and as our community grows and changes, so too do the demands on the hospital,” said Lorne Jack, President of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation. “The incredible generosity of area residents will help ensure we have access to effective and considerate care that meets our needs both now and into the future.”
The Board of Directors of the Capital Regional Hospital District (CRHD) approved its funding contribution of $1.8 million yesterday afternoon.
“The Capital Regional Hospital District is proud to support this vital capital project, which will enable VIHA to meet the Capital Region’s increasing demands for surgical services,” said Graham Hill, CRHD Chair and Mayor of View Royal. “This upgrade is an extraordinary example of what can be achieved through government and community partnerships and the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation is to be commended for their hard work and dedicated fundraising efforts.”
The Vancouver Island Health Authority’s (VIHA) contribution to the project is $124,000, plus the associated increased annual operating costs that will be realized once the new operating rooms and electrical upgrades are complete.
“With these improvements, Saanich Peninsula Hospital will grow as a community hospital that is also integrated with VIHA’s network of hospitals across the South Island,” said VIHA’s Board Chair Jac Kreut. “The operating room enhancements support a wide scope of surgical services at SPH, and the electrical upgrades will allow for other improvements in the longer term.”
The current operating rooms, built in 1978, are now outdated and impractical. The new operating suite will be accommodated in a new 690 square metre addition to the hospital, and will include three new operating rooms and an endoscopy/integrated procedure room.
The electrical upgrades will increase power service capacity, boost emergency generating capacity and create a new electrical services building. The electrical upgrades are needed before any future upgrades at SPH can take place.
The electrical upgrades will get underway early 2011 for completion in Fall 2011. The new operating rooms are expected to be completed in spring 2012.
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Media Contacts:
Shannon Marshall
VIHA Communications
250-370-8270
Karen Morgan
Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation
250-652-7525
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