Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation has reached its fundraising goal of $5 million in cash and pledges toward the long-awaited expansion of the emergency department at the Port Moody hospital.
Now at nearly the half-way mark in construction, the foundation has advocated for the project for 10 years and its $5 million pledge was key to getting the $37.5 million project underway.
Hospital officials are giving out thanks and praise to the community that helped make the fundraising happen.
“I am so proud to be part of the of the Tri-Cities community. It is because of amazing people of this community, its organizations, and local businesses that we made this happen. We could not have done it without them,” said Tom Morton, Eagle Ridge hospital foundation chair.
In a press release, foundation executive director Charlene Giovannetti-King also expressed her “immense gratitude” to the donors, community partners, sponsors and volunteers who supported the capital campaign.
Construction of the new emergency department is over 45% complete, and is projected to open in April 2022. Unique to this project is that the clinical team with emergency care experience led the design process in collaboration with the architects.
The new 21,000- square-foot facility will have three times the current space, with the latest technology.
Calling the expansion long over due, emergency room physician Dr. Michael Mostrenko said the new space will process patients faster and safer.
“In an emergency that’s what you want: efficient, fast, safe treatment. This expansion will change the way we deliver care to the Tri-Cities. I think it will make a huge difference in patient experience and the overall health of our community,” he stated.
Among the reasons for the updated facility was a significant jump in patients since the hospital was constructed in 1984. The emergency room was built to treat 20,000 patients annual, but treats over 50,000 now.
“It has been remarkable to see the level of care and compassion that we have managed to provide in this facility that is over 30 years old,” noted Scott Brolin, executive director of New Westminster and Tri-Cities Health Services and Eagle Ridge Hospital.
Among the features of the new emergency department are:
• A two-bay resuscitation room with ceiling mounted diagnostic tools that will double the current capacity;
• Private exam and consultation spaces with glass sliding doors;
• Separate entries for ambulances and walk-ins
• Dedicated family and child-centered waiting spaces;
• High acuity rooms with space for donning and doffing personal protective equipment
• Isolation spaces for containing infectious diseases.
• Mental health interview space
