Hospital expansion project kicks off

July 11, 2008
Portage Daily Graphic
Written by: Angela Brown

Portage la Prairie area residents will soon have more improved facilities and added services when they visit their local hospital.

Amidst a drizzly downpour on Friday morning, Manitoba's Minister of Health announced the start of Portage District General Hospital's Emergency Dept. expansion project, during a special sod turning ceremony outside the hospital.

"The reason for stopping in a muddy puddle is that it's what our dreams are made of, by getting mud on our shoes. We can work together and know what we can do to make our facility better. When mud gets on our shoes, that means that shovels are in the ground and work is happening," said Theresa Oswald to onlookers who gathered in the rain during the opening presentation.

The provincial government's $5-million redevelopment project, initially announced in February, aims to update the Emergency Dept. into a "state-of-the-art" facility providing service to patients being treated for critical care. The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2009.

As part of the plans, there will be four new treatment spaces, two of which will provide negative-pressure isolation rooms and used to prevent the spread of communicable diseased. The facility will also offer improved privacy, and a new double ambulance bay, will replace the current single bay.

"It's going to provide more room, more privacy ..., enhanced infection control. So, this is going to be a very good thing for the patients of this region and a good thing for our nurses and doctors and paramedics in which to work," said Oswald.

With the expansion of the ER department, the initiative is also expected to boost Portage as a choice for health-care professionals. There remains a shortage in all disciplines, not only in Central region, but in Manitoba and across the country.

abrown@cpheraldleader.com