Emergency Department renovations well underway in three PMH health centres

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) continues to move forward on several major construction and renovation projects in partnership with Manitoba Health and Shared Health. There are three important Emergency Department renovation projects occurring in the Killarney, Souris and Virden Health Centers.

These Emergency Department (ED) renovations will remodel the EDs so that they can provide:

dedicated space for registration and triage for those attending the ED. This will provide greater privacy but also better sight lines for staff to view patients and the waiting area;
refreshed treatment spaces (e.g., new paint, flooring, etc.); and
improved wayfinding for those arriving at the Emergency Department and for those coming to visit inpatients.

PMH’s Regional Lead of Clinical Services Planning, Debbie Poole, stated: “We are very appreciative of the physician and staff involvement in the renovation planning and look forward to opening day where we can share the new look with the community.”

PMH remains committed to providing timely updates for patients, staff and community residents as the renovations progress through various stages.

Construction completion on these ED renovations is anticipated in the Fall of 2023. The cost of the three projects together totals over $ 1 million.

Cancer Unit expansion at Russell Health Centre nears

Construction on a $2.5 million building addition to Russell Health Centre for an expanded cancer care unit is set to begin this April. General Contractor Jacobson Commercial has been awarded the construction tender, and if all goes well, construction on the expanded facility should be completed by the end of 2023.

Through dedication, commitment and passion for the project, the Expanding Community Cancer Committee, represented by 15 area communities surrounding the Russell-Binscarth area, raised over $1.8 million of the $2.5 million needed to move ahead with construction. In May 2022, the province announced that it would contribute the remaining $700,000 so the expansion could proceed.

Once completed, the expanded cancer unit will be nearly four times the size of the current area, with a separate entrance to the facility, seven treatment bays, and a waiting room and physician’s office.

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) CEO Brian Schoonbaert says the region has collaborated with health partners and stakeholders to plan for the necessary building parameters, construction costs and associated timelines for this important capital project. PMH will contribute annual operating costs for the expansion, including staffing and supplies.

“We are grateful for the hard work, dedication and commitment of the Expanding Community Cancer Committee and local support from the entire area,” said Brian Schoonbaert, CEO of PMH. “With the support of Manitoba Health, this much-needed new building addition will better serve patients in this part of our health region and provide a better physical environment for our staff to provide care.”

Expanding Community Care Committee President Gloria Tibbatts can’t wait for construction to begin, and adds that fundraising efforts will continue to contribute to additional equipment and other possibilities.

BRHC Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Temporary Relocation

As part of the Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC) expansion project, pile driving of posts into the ground close to the north wall of BRHC will start to take place. This will require the relocation of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which is expected to occur near the end of the week of February 6th and continue into the following week(s).

Due to noise and vibration during pile driving close to the hospital wall, NICU babies and their moms will be moved to 200 Surgery (2nd floor) after delivery. Visitation in the NICU may also be limited to one person per baby due to space. If the NICU is at capacity, you and your baby may be transferred to Winnipeg.

In addition, some maternity patients and their babies may also be transferred to 200 surgery after delivery. Patients moved may have to share a room with other moms, and the space may not accommodate a support person overnight.

This part of the construction phase is expected to be completed the second week of March but is subject to change.

Please continue to check our website or follow us on social media for updates.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during the construction phase.

Western Manitoba Cancer Centre Expansion Project Scheduled to Begin Will Require Parking Changes

The expansion and renovation of the Western Manitoba Cancer Centre (WMCC) will soon be underway. This project will see a 7,000 square feet addition and renovation of existing space, including exam rooms, treatment spaces, and the Centre of Hope being constructed on the east side of WMCC.

Construction fencing will start going up February 21st, blocking off WMCC’s parking lot. Six-hour parking meters and accessible parking spots have been relocated close to the facility along Frederick Street and the Nurse’s Residence to accommodate this change. There are also 2-hour parking meters along Park Street east of WMCC. We ask patients to allow enough time to park for their appointment.

The front entrance drive-through will remain open for drop-off and pick-up only. Please do not park there for any extended period of time. The front entrance will also be used for patients coming to WMCC by ambulance.

Continue to check our website or follow us on social media for updates and possible changes.

BRHC MAIN ENTRANCE TEMPORARY CLOSURE Saturday, February 25

Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC) expansion project continues with the foundation work of the new building located on the north side of BRHC.

Pile driving of posts into the ground close to the BRHC front entrance is scheduled for Saturday, February 25. This will require the main entrance into BRHC and the traffic loop to be closed on this day from 7 am until 6 pm.

February 25, the main BRHC entrance will be closed. Please note the following changes:

Dialysis patients brought by a Handivan or Medical Transport van will use the laneway entrance off Frederick Street.
Outpatients/Diagnostic Imaging Patients and Patients being discharged: The Emergency Department (ER) ramp can be used for drop off and pick up. Please use the staff doors, NOT the ER doors to enter BRHC. This ramp is not to be used for any extended period of time.
General Visitors will enter through the Centre for Adult Psychiatry (CAP) entrance off Russell Street and follow the signage to the main lobby and information desk.

Please refer to the map and watch for signage. Information is subject to change.