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Help raise funds for the future High Acuity Unit at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

Dec 15, 2022 | 4:35 PM

NANAIMO — No one knows when they’ll need the hospital. Or if they might need to go to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

But no matter what, everyone needs to know that they’ll receive the very best care. And Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is working to provide that care to everyone in the central- and mid-Island region.

While the Intensive Care Unit is an essential facility, there are problems with the current space.

“Our space is so cluttered. It’s hard to get around. We have warning notices from the fire marshal on a regular basis, we have issues with privacy. It’s all related to the cramped conditions,” Dr. Michael Kenyon, the former Lead Physician in the ICU, said.

Thanks to community support, the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation has raised over $5 million for the new ICU.

It’s been the main focus of their fundraising over the past 2 years. Now, they’re raising another $5 million for the ICU Phase 2: to equip the future High Acuity Unit (HAU).

This new unit offers close attention by specially trained staff for patients who don’t need a full ICU. With a lower patient-to-staff ratio, it cares for patients without the costs associated with the ICU.

It’s a new idea, and a needed one.

While the new ICU is larger and more capable than the current one, the addition of the HAU is important because it will take some of the workload from the ICU and expand the number of beds available.

The idea is to let staff focus on the more serious cases, providing ICU patients with the care they need to recover.

In the case of an extreme emergency like a pandemic or a bus crash, the two units combined will create a 24-patient bed unit – something we hope our community never needs, but must have.

“During the worst of the pandemic, I saw how critical a new Intensive Care Unit was. And with help from your neighbours, we’re working hard to build one. But we need you. Your gift of $100 or even $250 will help to equip the ICU our community needs. And with the inclusion of a future High Acuity Unit, we’ll be able to help even more people,” The Clinical Project Manager Jean Phan said.

The HAU will provide an important increase in capacity and capability that will benefit NRGH and the central to north Island for decades to come.

But it can’t happen without your help.

Your support for the Intensive Care Unit Phase 2: High Acuity Unit is critical. If you would like to donate to the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation, go to www.nanaimohospitalfoundation.com.