Area renal patients are once again able to access treatment in Dauphin thanks to the opening of a temporary hemodialysis unit in the Community Health Building in Dauphin.
The unit began serving patients yesterday (Nov. 2).
“We are so happy to welcome the patients back to Dauphin and staff back to Dauphin. We are optimistic that both will appreciate the new space, or the temporary space, where the dialysis unit will be housed,” said Prairie Mountain Health CEO Treena Slate, adding the unit will boast six stations, the same number as the regular service prior flooding in June, which forced the closure of the Dauphin Regional Health Centre.
While she has not yet received feedback from patients as of yet, Slate said staff are “very happy to be home.”
With winter approaching, Slate said it was important to have dialysis services available in the region once again.
“We don’t want people driving more than they need to, and it was my goal right from the beginning of this to get dialysis back there as soon as we could. So, really happy for this, and I would expect that patients and staff will be as well,” she said.
“It’s such a tremendous pull on your life to be on dialysis, three or four times a week, and having to commit to that. And then to add excessive travel onto that is . . . I can’t even imagine the impact that had on people. So I’m really happy that we’re able to have this back in Dauphin.”
In terms of the big picture, cleanup restoration work is continuing, Slate said, adding that during a recent tour of the DRHC’s lower level she was encouraged to see new hoses and cable hanging, capped off and waiting to receive new pieces of mechanical and electrical infrastructure when they become available.
“They’re having to do abatement in part of the basement still, so that work is continuing. But excellent progress has been made,” she said, adding that although there is no firm timeline in place, she expects things to progress quickly once equipment starts to arrive.
“Once the pieces start arriving, we can get systems back online. Then I’m hoping that getting the air-handling units in place, and enough airflow in the building, and heating, and the medical gases.
“I think we’ll start to see things open up in quick fashion.”
As for what services might be next to come online, clinical teams are providing input on “ what is dependent on what.”
Diagnostic services have expanded recently with the return of stress testing and ultrasound is back in its usual location.
“It would be nice to get our usual CT scanner room back up and running, just so that we can make some space for some of the other trailers that have to arrive,” Slate said.
“And we’ll see what else is possible in the coming months around some of the other services on that main floor, like endoscopy, and maybe moving cancer care back to Dauphin sooner rather than later.”
Ultimately, Slate will be pleased with the addition of any services back to the DRHC.
“Having any more beds open would be great, but we know that we need other things in place before all of that can happen,” she said.
“So we’re trying to be patient. I think we are. But it is very exciting when we tour to see the advancements that they’ve made. It’s just tremendous.”