(file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D'Andrea

NICU moving forward

Victoria Hospital’s neonatal unit expansion moving forward

Nov 20, 2020 | 1:12 PM

Construction is moving ahead on the major expansion to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert.

Quorex Construction Services Ltd. from Saskatoon has been selected for the $2 million project by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

To see the project progress, Prince Albert Victoria Hospital Foundation CEO Sherry Buckler said this is a big moment.

“We’re just really excited,” Buckler said. “Our foundation knew this was coming, but we’re just really, really proud to say that thanks to our community and all of the people and the partners we worked with over the last few years, this project is finally going to become a reality for the north.”

The generosity from the community was made quite evident throughout the years. During 2018’s Give A Little Life Day Radiothon, the hospital raised $1 million.

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“That made us the most successful radiothon in Saskatchewan that year. I think really, it speaks to the great desire there is to have a proper neonatal intensive care unit close to home for the families and for all moms, so they don’t have to travel,” Buckler said.

Construction of the unit is targeted for completion in July of 2021, with a plan to be operational in late summer next year. When complete, the expanded unit will have space to accommodate up to 11 medically fragile babies and their families, keeping more infants closer to home.

“This new facility will serve higher-risk babies and families from across northern Saskatchewan,” Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley said in a statement. “Our government thanks all who have generously supported this project, and we look forward to its completion.”

Prince Albert supports 1,500 births as the third-largest high-risk maternal care site in Saskatchewan, including infants as low as 34 weeks gestation.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW