(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Healthy communities

Year in review: Health care upgrades

Dec 28, 2019 | 10:00 AM

While there was still plenty of talk in 2019 about the need for a new hospital in Prince Albert there were a number of other big announcements made throughout the year to help enhance health care in the region.

Over $300,000 raised for Victoria Hospital Foundation

At the beginning of the year, the Victoria Hospital Foundation (VHF) set a goal to raise over $300,000 to buy diagnostic and rehab equipment.

The goal of this year’s Give a Little Life Day was to specifically focus on new cardiac diagnostic equipment including a portable digital radiography X-ray machine, telemetry units, and two Echo Ultrasound Beds. When all was said and done on Dec. 6, after a 12-hour radio extravaganza an incredible $303,105 was raised.

Back row from left, Bob Hayes, Jennifer Rust, Heather Walker, Chris Knight, Teena Monteleone, Kirsten S. Front row, Sherry Buckler, Lew Harrison, Andy Cohen. (submitted photo)

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“People feel very strongly about having a well-equipped hospital nearby should they or their loved ones ever need it,” the Foundation’s CEO Sherry Buckler told paNOW in response to the very successful fundraising. “Our hospital is the first stop for many if there’s an emergency… and they also know their donation stays right here in the community so that plays a big part as well.”

Throughout the day, a number of families from the area came down to the hospital to make a donation and show their support for the cause. (Teena Monteleone/paNOW Staff)

Buckler confirmed she recently sent a letter to the Saskatchewan Health Authority, advising them the funds were now in place to purchase the X-ray machine, and the telemetry units. A purchase order is expected to arrive back at the foundation office in the next few weeks, and Buckler estimated they should see the arrival of the equipment in early spring.

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New heli-pad for STARS at Victoria Hospital

Construction of a brand new heliport, across from the Victoria Hospital parking lot was started in October, and wrapped up in December.

The upgrade, which will allow STARS to transport patients to and from Victoria Hospital, was needed to ensure Canada’s standards for heliport certification were met.

Upgrades to the heliport included added safety features, such as fencing and markings/lighting for a safe flight path. (submitted photo/ Saskatchewan Health Authority)

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) consulted with the City of Prince Albert and STARS regarding the upgrades.

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New NICU unit

There was no shortage of emotion at a press conference in September, after it was announced that plans to expand the neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU) at Victoria Hospital were moving ahead faster than expected.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) announced their plans to issue a request for proposals as early as October to expand the nursery space at the hospital. The announcement came just seven months after the $2.2 million fundraising goal was met. Victoria Hospital Foundation Board Chair Lyle Karasiuk said he was very excited to hear the next steps were being taken.

“That means that in the process we have already begun to say maybe 12 months, 16 months, 18 months down the way, there will be paint on the walls, there will be new doors open, and we will be gathered again to literally cut the ribbon,” he said.

Lyle Karsiuk exchanges a hug with Dr. Lalita Malhotra, who made an $800,000 donation and helped the committee reach its lofty goal much earlier than expected. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

At the press conference in September, Dr. Lalita Malhotra fought back tears as she expressed her gratitude to all the donors who contributed to make her dream a reality. Malhotra later told paNOW she knew her late husband was watching from up above, and would be equally proud of everyone’s effort.

“He always thought when he had to take babies to Edmonton, you know fly them out, he used to say ‘oh now we should have our own unit here.’ And I’m sure he is smiling now to see that the project is going through,” she said.

The final design plans are expected to be finished by February. In the meantime, work continues on a plan to either renovate or replace Victoria Hospital. Karasiuk said he has been assured by the ministry that when the new hospital gets built, the expanded NICU will be a part of it.

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Hospice fundraising nears halfway mark

The committee behind the new Hospice on the city’s north side, have set a construction goal for the spring of 2020, and by mid- December, $1.6 million was raised toward the $4 million goal.

Througout the year, a number of cheque presentations and donations were made from a number of groups and individuals, including Dr. Ayaz Ramji and Dr. Randy Friesen,

“Good things come in Prince Albert but they take a while, and this is a project that is sorely needed,” Ramji said.

“My wife was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer eight years ago, passed away five years ago. Since she’s passed we’ve been wanting to do something as a memorial or to help remember her and in honour of her, so this is what we’re doing,” Friesen said.

From L to R: Ralph Boychuk, Marina Mitchell, Dr. Randy Friesen and Malcolm Jenkins. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

Organizers of the Summit Run in June announced as well this year they would be donating all of the proceeds from the event to the new Rose Garden Hospice. Local philanthropist, Malcom Jenkins, has agreed to match the money raised up to $10,000.

Malcolm Jenkins from Canadian Tire, as well as Mintos assistant captains Turner McMillen and Ashton Ferster, present Marina Mitchell of the Rose Garden Hospice with a donation of $2,600 before the team’s game on Dec. 15, 2019. (Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff)(Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff)

A new hospital

The provincial government’s throne speech in October discussed the re-development of the Victoria Hospital.

Later Prince Albert Carlton MLA Joe Hargrave told paNOW the signing off on the pre-construction design would happen soon.

“It’s very close, I’ve been involved in many meetings about this and I hope this will come in the very near future,” he said, although he could not give specifics.

Prince Albert Northcote MLA, New Democrat Nicole Rancourt appeared a bit more skeptical.

Rancourt echoed her previous concerns about the government’s plans for the Victoria hospital and their use of the term ‘redevelopment project.’

“I don’t think that’s strong enough language that confirms the construction of a new, bigger hospital,” she said.

(file photo/paNOW Staff)

While Premier Scott Moe has repeatedly said his priority is to move forward on a Prince Albert hospital, however it’s still not clear what model would be used to come up with the finances. Depending on the scope of the build, the total cost would likely exceed $100 million.

Premier Scott MLA and MLA Joe Hargrave fielded questions about a new hospital, at the conclusion of the caucus retreat in August. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Gordon Wyant is the minister responsible for SaskBuilds, the Treasury Board Crown Corporation that leads the delivery of large infrastructure projects for public sector clients told paNOW he has not ruled out getting some federal dollars nor a possible a partnership with the private sector.

“We’re having ongoing conversations within government, not just with the Ministry of Health but with SaskBuilds, on what the funding model looks like,” Wyant said.

“We haven’t given up completely on the possibility of federal funding but the project is not dependent [on that]. He said with the new facility serving First Nations and the North as well as the city of P.A. that might “play well with the federal government.”

He also did not dismiss the idea of a so-called P3 model, involving the public and private sectors. There has been no timeline or even estimated cost for the venture and Wyant said it would be premature to talk about that until more details on what the scope of the project would look like.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell