Renovations complete on two projects at Richmond Hospital

RICHMOND, BC – Renovations are now complete on two projects that will result in improvements to Richmond Hospital’s ambulatory care and sterile processing departments.

These renovations are part of a $10-million Government of British Columbia funding package that also includes renovations to Richmond Hospital’s emergency department. Funding for these projects was announced spring 2009.

Completion of these expanded and updated services at Richmond Hospital means that Richmond residents will receive enhanced health care services,” said Richmond Centre MLA Rob Howard. “We’re pleased to be able to continue to fund these types of vital renovations to ensure our hospitals can offer safe, state-of-the-art, high quality care that is close to home.”

The $2.9 million expansion of Richmond Hospital’s ambulatory care department includes a new minor procedures room and expansion of the endoscopy area, where internal scoping procedures are done. Procedures done in this new room require local instead of general anesthetic as in the operating room. Availability of the new minor procedures room will free up OR time for patients requiring sedation and major surgery.

“The renovations to the hospital ensure Richmond residents will continue to receive quality health care for years to come,” said Richmond East MLA Linda Reid. “The province continues to invest in the health of its citizens and the future of B.C.’s communities.”

The $2.4 million sterile processing department expansion will result in a department that meets best practice guidelines for services of this type. The renovation will result in more space for the sterilization/decontamination, packaging and storage of surgical equipment and supplies.

“Patient safety and care is a key priority and it is great news for this growing region that patients will have access to expanded and modernized facilities that meet the highest safety standards,” said Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap.

The $4.9 million emergency department renovations at Richmond Hospital are ongoing, and will complete in spring 2011.

“This project has resulted in two enlarged and modernized spaces with new equipment that will allow staff to provide the highest possible quality of care for the patients served by these departments,” said Susan Wannamaker, Chief Operating Officer, VCH-Richmond. “Residents will be pleased to know that they can access such high quality health care at their doorsteps.”

VCH is responsible for the delivery of $2.9 billion in community, hospital and residential care to more than one million people in communities, including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.

Media contact Vancouver Coastal Health
Trudi Beutel
Public Affairs Officer
Phone: 604-708-5282
Cell: 604-812-1847
Email: Trudi.Beutel@vch.ca