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New HHCC ambulatory care wing open to the public by month’s end

August 3, 2017   ·   0 Comments

By Mike Pickford

Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC) expects to have its brand new ambulatory care facility up and running and open to the public by the end of the month.

After breaking ground on the multi-million-dollar development in May of last year, the project now appears to be in the home stretch, albeit a few weeks behind schedule.

Having initially predicted a July 28 opening, HHCC Communications Manager Erin Burcham noted hospital staff wanted to be able to get into the new 8,700 sq. ft. space and familiarize themselves with their new surroundings before officially opening to the public.

“This really isn’t a delay of any kind, we’re just working on all the last-minute details and making sure everything is in place just the way we want it before saying we’re open for business,” Ms. Burcham told the Citizen. “We’re getting ready to transition equipment over; we’re making sure our physicians feel comfortable in the new area. Things are very much on track.”

The new ambulatory care wing will serve as home base for all the hospital’s chemotherapy and cancer treatment units. Other important services such as infusion clinics for dialysis patients and telemedicine facilities will also be relocated to the extension.

This is the first of a two-part redevelopment of the hospital, slated to cost in the region of $14 million. An announcement regarding the second phase of the project, which includes multiple renovations to 11,900 sq. ft. of existing space, is expected soon. That particular portion of the revamp will feature the addition of a third operating room, an improved reception area and expanded pre- and post-surgical recovery areas.

As the first portion of the project nears completion, senior staff at the facility are looking forward to expanding their services to the local community.

“This is an exciting time for the hospital and for the community,” said Peter Varga, Vice President of Patient Care & Chief Nursing Executive.

“With the opening of the new expansion we will be able to provide greater access to the programs and services, such as cancer care and day surgery, that were needed most by the rapidly growing community.”

He added, “This will enable us to continue providing that patient-focused, exceptional experience close to home”

For Sandy Critchley, Director Quality, Patient Safety and Risk Management, she’s looking to showing off the finished product to the public.

An official grand opening has been tentatively slated for some time in September.

“We are very excited to open Headwaters’ new ambulatory care facility. It has been remarkable to see the space transform over the past year from grass and asphalt, to a beautiful, cutting-edge structure housing incredible technology and amazing health care professionals,” Ms. Critchley said. “This new expansion will greatly enhance patient experience with improved privacy, infection prevention and control and the latest technologies – helping us to continue providing exceptional care for our patients and community.”

For more information on Headwaters Health Care Centre and all the services the local facility provides, visit headwatershealth.ca.

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