Emergency medical services in Dauphin will have a bit of familiarity to them as plans have been made to open a tempory emergency department in the existing hospital.
Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced yesterday that the temporary emergency department will operate on the main floor of Dauphin Regional Health Centre, using temporary power, water and other infrastructure, while restoration work continues in other areas of the hospital.
When it opens, Sept. 7, the temporary emergency department will provide emergency services 24-7. A mobile CT unit will also be up and running within several weeks.
“We promised the people of Dauphin we would work as quickly as possible to bring emergency care back home, and we are on track to deliver,” Asagwara said.
“A tremendous amount of work has happened in a short period of time to make this possible. I want to thank the health-care workers, tradespeople and everyone who has been working around the clock to get emergency care back up and running safely in Dauphin.”
Physicians, nurses and other health-care workers have been directly involved in planning the temporary emergency department. Staff orientation and walkthroughs will take place before the department opens.
Other health services will continue to be provided in nearby sites ,while restoration work progresses. Dialysis patients are currently receiving care in Brandon, Russell, Swan River and Ashern, chemotherapy is being provided in Brandon, and labour and delivery services are available in Neepawa and Brandon. Transportation supports remain available for patients who need to travel for dialysis and chemotherapy.
“Bringing emergency care back to Dauphin is a major step forward for patients, families and health care workers who have been dealing with the impacts of this flood,” said Agriculture Minister and Dauphin MLA Ron Kostyshyn.
“We know people want their hospital back, and so do we. There is more work ahead, but we will keep moving as quickly and safely as possible to restore services and bring more care back home.”
The Community Health Services building attached to Dauphin Regional Health Centre will continue to provide outpatient community care including IV therapy.
Walk-in diagnostic services temporarily being provided at the provincial building in Dauphin will also be moved back to the Dauphin Regional Health Centre.
“The reopening of our emergency department is an important milestone for Dauphin and the surrounding region,” said Treena Slate, CEO, Prairie Mountain Health.
“While work to fully restore the hospital continues, reopening emergency services in their original space means people can once again access urgent care closer to home. This would not have been possible without the extraordinary dedication of our facilities teams, contractors, clinical leaders, physicians and staff. I want to sincerely thank everyone who worked tirelessly to bring this essential service back to our community.”
Restoration work is continuing throughout the health centre as teams work to safely return additional services to Dauphin including surgery and endoscopy.
Further updates will be provided as additional services are restored.