Minister Katrine Conroy, MLA Kootenay West, stopped in town last week to tour the expansion at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH).
The main attractions were the new pharmacy and ambulatory care units.
“We are thrilled that the residents of the Kootenay region will benefit from the expansions to their hospital,” Conroy said in a Nov. 15 release.
“There was strong community support for the development of the pharmacy and ambulatory care project, which is helping provide better care for our community.”
The new build tripled the pharmacy in size, and features a patient education room for private consultations and better ventilation spaces making it safer for staff and patients.
The new ambulatory care wing was built above the expanded emergency department. Ambulatory care includes procedures for outpatients, such as endoscopies and cystoscopies, and other minor surgical procedures.
The $38.8-million pharmacy and ambulatory care project was funded by the provincial government, which provided $23.3 million, and the West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital District, which provided $15.5 million.
“Having worked at KBRH in past, I know how challenging the previous pharmacy and ambulatory care areas were so it is great to see these dramatic improvements completed,” said Frank Marino, chair, West Kootenay-Boundary Regional Hospital District.
“The modernization of the hospital in Trail will benefit patients, physicians and staff for years to come. I want to thank the province, Interior Health, the KBRH Health Foundation, my fellow regional hospital district representatives and our taxpayers for making all this possible.”
Marino was referring the KBRH Health Foundation raising upwards of $1 million for current and future needs of the ambulatory care departments.
“The Foundation’s Ambulatory Care Campaign raised $1.1 million to support both current and future needs of the ambulatory care departments, due to the steadfast commitment of our community,” said Lisa Pasin, executive director, KBRH Health Foundation.
“We are grateful for our partnership with the provincial government, Interior Health and the West Kootenay-Boundary Regional Hospital District. Together, we are improving health care for Kootenay Boundary residents.”
Construction began in 2020 and includes a new ambulatory care wing, expanded pharmacy, renovated oncology department, a modernized physiotherapy department and an upgraded cast clinic.
“The opening of the new ambulatory care space and pharmacy at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital is a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering high-quality care for the people in Kootenay Boundary,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “These modern and improved facilities will not only benefit patients who rely on our services, but will also provide our hardworking health-care workers with a better environment to carry out their vital work.”
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