Construction is underway to add nine new beds at Dauphin Regional Health Centre, as part of a facility-wide renovation project that also includes a larger and more modern space to support cancer patients as they receive treatment and care, Premier Wab Kinew and Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced Wednesday (Jan 24).
“Our goal is for more rural Manitobans to hear those four amazing words: ‘you are cancer-free’,” said Kinew. “This renovation will not only mean more space for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, it will add more endoscopy capacity, reduce surgery wait times and it will enhance the Dauphin Regional Health Centre to allow more patients from across the Parklands to access health care. It’s one more step in our government’s commitment to improving health care in the Parklands.”
The second phase of a broader hospital renovation is now underway and expected to be completed this summer, the premier noted, adding that spaces on the second and third floor of the Dauphin facility will be converted to accommodate seven new medicine and two new general surgery beds.
“Making sure that families navigating a cancer diagnosis and patients who need surgeries can get quality care, close to home, is a priority for our government,” said Asagwara. “We have also been hearing from health-care staff how distressing it can be to want to provide the best care possible, but to not have the resources to do so. These investments will provide front-line staff in Dauphin the exam rooms, recovery beds, and surgical capacity they need to deliver the level of care patients expect and deserve.”
The bed expansion is part of a $7.8-million capital investment at the hospital, which also included first floor renovations to accommodate an expanded CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB) space, the minister noted. The renovated area on the first floor is 50 per cent larger, adds one new exam room for a total of two, and relocated five treatment spaces. The renovations were complete in late 2023 and the first patient was seen earlier this month.
“Building both physical and human capacity is vital to sustaining cancer services,” said Dr. Sri Navaratnam, president and chief executive officer, CancerCare Manitoba. “I am very pleased that this renovation supports CCMB’s ability to continue to provide access to high-quality cancer services closer to where the patients live.”
The hospital’s endoscopy services will also move to the main floor soon, the minister added. This renovation project will add one new procedure room and six pre-/post-recovery spaces. Once fully operational, up to 300 more endoscopies will be able to be performed at the site annually, while also freeing up space in operating rooms. This shift will help increase surgical capacity in Dauphin, the minister noted, which is the second largest health centre within Prairie Mountain Health.
“Working with its health partners and stakeholders, Prairie Mountain Health is pleased the initial phase of the clinical spaces transformation project has come to fruition,” said Brian Schoonbaert, chief executive officer, Prairie Mountain Health. “With the relocation of the cancer care unit to the hospital’s main floor and soon, operational start of the new endoscopy suite, we continue enhancing access to services within our region. As the second phase of the project proceeds, which includes adding additional in-patient bed capacity and a new physiotherapy space, we are ensuring Dauphin Regional Health Centre continues to play a vital role in the provision of patient and client care moving forward.”
The new beds in Dauphin align with a broader plan to add acute care beds and staffing at major hospitals in the province, the minister said. This includes 36 new acute care beds at St. Boniface Hospital and 31 new beds at Grace Hospital. The Manitoba government will continue to roll out more investments targeted at stabilizing overstretched hospitals, the minister noted.
For more information about the Dauphin Regional Health Centre and the health-care services provided in Prairie Mountain Health, visit Prairie Mountain Health – Prairie Mountain Health
For more information about cancer diagnostics, treatment and care provided throughout the province, visit Home (cancercare.mb.ca)
