The Brandon Regional Health Centre redevelopment project is working its way through various construction stages over the summer. The entire project is being undertaken in phases to limit disruption to patients, families, visitors and health-care providers.

Core infrastructure work behind the scenes to upgrade sewer, water, and electrical continues and this part of the project impacts all General Centre floors. To accommodate this work, bed closures are required which affects all areas of the BRHC campus from Emergency to patients waiting to be transferred to a Personal Care Home. Prairie Mountain Health Chief Executive Officer Penny Gilson says bed utilization strategies were always factored into the overall redevelopment plan.

“We’ve reached a period during renovations that require us to reduce beds. In order to have enough beds and staffing available for acute and critical care patients at BRHC, patients requiring less urgent care will be transferred to neighbouring facilities in communities outside of Brandon when necessary,” Gilson stated.

This will ensure that all patients get the safe, quality care they need whether at BRHC or at other facilities in PMH. Those who are waiting for placement in a personal care home will absolutely remain on the list for the personal care home of their choice and not lose their spot.

“Our staff are doing an exceptional job of communicating with patients, clients and families about some of these challenges. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding with the end goal in mind that we will have more, better space for patients’ care,” Gilson added.

Once completed, the medical bed expansion/redevelopment project will see 12 new medical in-patient beds created to bring the total number of beds to 60. The existing pediatric unit will be relocated to the second floor Annex of the hospital to accommodate the medical bed expansion of the fourth and fifth floors.

It’s anticipated the entire renovation project should be completed in late 2018.