MOOSE JAW, Sask. – The new hospital in Moose Jaw is smaller, but the health region said it will be able to serve as many or more patients.
The $100-million building can also accommodate double the numbers of current patients in for day surgery, chemotherapy and emergency.
The new facility will open in three weeks.
“We had over 200 people involved in design,” explained Kyle Matthies, Five Hills Health Region corporate strategy VP. “That group included staff, physicians as well as patients and family members from the community.”
Single patient rooms all have private washrooms. Some of those rooms have ceiling track lifts to help nurses get patients out of bed and there are family areas as well, which include flip out beds so family can stay overnight with their loved ones.
Treatment rooms also have two doors – one for the nurses and doctors and one for the patient’s visitors. Unlike the old hospital, these new rooms mean additional patient privacy.
There is also a special mental health wing.
“We think this is one of the most beautiful parts of the building and we want the public to come and see this space because at one point or another, I think the stat is about 20 per cent of our population will have a mental health challenge at one level or another,” said Matthies.
After long debate and political pressure from the community, a hyperbaric chamber – not included in the original design – will be in the new hospital. Along with an MRI machine, it will be up and running in January 2016.
The health region has sold the property of the old hospital to the City of Moose Jaw. That building will be demolished shortly after the move.
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