Province Releases Tender for Emergency Department Expansion at Flin Flon General Hospital

The Manitoba government and the Northern Regional Health Authority are moving forward on a project to provide even better front-line health-care services by expanding the emergency department at the Flin Flon General Hospital, Health Minister Sharon Blady announced today.

“Expanding the emergency department in Flin Flon will be better for both northern Manitoba patients and staff at the facility,” said Minister Blady.  “The new space will be laid out to improve care for patients and help front-line care providers to deliver even better services quickly.”

The minister noted a tender for the project was released today.  The new emergency department will include four observation/special care bays, two treatment rooms, a family consultation room, a gynecological room that can also be used as an isolation room, one intravenous therapy room, a procedure room and a trauma room.

“Providing the residents of Flin Flon and area with this modern space to receive health care while at the same time ensuring the staff have an efficient and effective place to practice ultimately benefits the patients we are here to serve,” said Helga Bryant, chief executive officer, Northern Regional Health Authority.  “As a region, we appreciate this investment and know it will pay dividends for years to come.”

The improvements will include more efficient waiting room layout that will assist health-care providers to better monitor patients waiting for care.  The redeveloped space will also contain a secure room to address the needs of physically aggressive clients, a decontamination shower for patients that present due to exposure to a harmful substance and additional space for equipment storage.

“This project, which will help the region recruit and retain more high-quality care providers to the community, has been a key priority for our government,” said Minister Blady.  “I’m excited work is moving ahead and I look forward to the start of construction.”

The minister noted the project builds on other planned investments in health care in the community including:

• the installation of a sprinkler system at the Flin Flon Personal Care Home;
• an emergency power system upgrade at the Flin Flon General Hospital;
• an upgrade to the operating rooms at the Flin Flon General Hospital including a replacement air handling unit, electrical upgrades, an improved layout and a new surgical bed;
• kitchen renovations at the Flin Flon Personal Care Home;
• kitchen renovations at Northern Lights Manor; and
• the construction of a new, state-of-the-art emergency medical services (EMS) station in 2013.