The ribbon cutting marks the official opening of 'The Gathering Space' within NRGH. (Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

another big contribution

‘A wonderful gift to the community:’ new gathering room opens at Nanaimo hospital

Oct 31, 2023 | 4:04 PM

NANAIMO — A dedicated space to provide comfort and support for patients, their families, and staff members at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is now open.

Known as ‘The Gathering Space’, the newly renovated $400,000 room, centrally located on the hospital’s first floor near the emergency department, is the latest addition provided by volunteers of the Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary.

Auxiliary president Deborah Francis said this space is to provide a place for people to gather, seek comfort, and support each other.

“Whatever their journey may be while visiting the hospital. It’s also a place where our Indigenous partners gather, and the space was really created so families could be supported. Sometimes a passing of a loved one or meeting family members or doing ceremonies.”

Members of the Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary in front of the LUCAS chest compression machine recently purchased for the NRGH thanks to their fundraising efforts. (Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary)

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The room was renovated after a nearly three-year-long consultation process and was informally opened during the height of the pandemic.

It has since been used for a marriage ceremony, a pre-death wake, and smudging ceremonies.

“And from time to time there are staff issues and a staff crisis, and that room is available to all in that facility that need to find some solitude or some comfort,” said Francis.

She said their network of over 200 volunteers raises money by working at their hospital gift shop, their thrift store in Northridge Plaza, and through a local crafting group, which will be holding a craft sale at NRGH on Nov. 23.

The Auxiliary also helped NRGH purchase a $22,000 LUCAS (Lund University Cardiac Assist System) machine, a mechanical chest compression device used to treat patients who suddenly go into cardiac arrest.

Francis said she’s heard from staff members who have had to perform chest compressions for up to four hours at a time.

“I can’t imagine the physical toll on a human being to do that and the hospital auxiliary thought it would be a wonderful gift to the community of Nanaimo and support the staff at the same time.”

A registered nurse at the NRGH demonstrates the new LUCAS chest compression machine. (Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary)

Cassie Thompson, a registered nurse who works in the NRGH emergency department, said they are grateful for the device.

“Having this piece of equipment will provide our patients with quality CPR for a longer period of time during prolonged resuscitation attempts. It will also minimize downtime of chest compressions while emergency room staff are prioritizing other tasks and caring for other patients.”

Past contributions from the Auxiliary to the NRGH include over $500,000 for perinatal and bariatric equipment last year, new food delivery trays, and free WiFi.

More information about the NHA can be found here on their website.

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