By Connor Hutchinson

Emergency Expansion Officially Opens

Emergency Expansion Officially Opens

Dec 6, 2023 | 1:09 PM

PORT ALBERNI – The new addition to the West Coast General Hospital was officially opened on Friday.

The Emergency Wing expansion project created 2600 square feet of new area, which has improved working conditions, and patient care according to clinical coordinator Tanya Kuc.

“The old emergency department was very cramped and we had limited space for patients,” she said. “The new space is very open and inviting, creates a really nice safe environment for our patients, improved privacy for our patients, and we’re able to flow patients through the department much better.”

Kuc says the new area includes a safe room and a specialized decontamination room along with some new equipment.

The $7 million project received $2.5 million from the province, and the local West Coast General Hospital Foundation was tasked to raise $2 million. Foundation chair Dr. Robbie O’Dwyer said community generosity allowed them to raise $2.4 million, which allowed them to cover inevitable cost overruns.

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