The Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre will receive a $15-million boost from the Province to expand the emergency department and add a dedicated area for mental-health and substance-use care, Finance Minister Michael de Jong announced today on behalf of Health Minister Terry Lake.

The project, which is expected to be completed by October 2019, includes a 668.9 square metre emergency department expansion to improve the flow and care of patients in the busy facility. A dedicated area for mental-health and substance-use patients will also be created to better care for these patients. The space will be adjacent to, but secured from, the rest of the emergency department. This will allow for crisis stabilization of patients who require immediate help but may not require inpatient admission.

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As well, the expansion will include:

• Improved space for trauma, cardiac-care and acute-care areas.
• Enhancement to the emergency registration function to include an element of triage.
• Renovations to the triage area.
• Dedicated stretcher bays.
• Creation of a nursing substation to manage ambulance offloads.
• Relocation of the ambulance bays to a space adjacent to the new expanded emergency department.

The B.C. government is making record investments in modern, safe infrastructure projects throughout the province. Capital spending on infrastructure in the health sector will total $2.7 billion over the next three years for health facilities, medical and diagnostic equipment, operating rooms and information management/technology systems.

Quotes:

Michael de Jong, Finance Minister, Abbotsford West MLA –

“This community is growing, and we need to make sure health facilities can meet the increasing demands on emergency services that come with that growth. With more space, a redesigned work flow and a dedicated mental-health and substance-use area, this expansion will give staff the tools and space they need to do their jobs and continue providing top care for their patients.”

Valerie Spurrell, executive director, Abbotsford Regional Hospital –

“An expanded emergency department is welcomed news for us. This expansion will make a significant difference for our patients and will support our health care providers to deliver the high-quality care they provide every day.”

Darryl Plecas, Abbotsford South MLA –

“This expansion is going to help emergency room staff better care for critically injured or ill patients across this region. I’m glad government can work with the health authority to make this expansion a reality.”

Simon Gibson, Abbotsford-Mission MLA –

“Providing better infrastructure for emergency care will benefit all patients who come to this hospital, and that’s especially true for mental-health and substance-use patients. A new dedicated area for these patients will help medical staff provide the targeted care these patients need.”