A new medical unit and primary health-care centre at Queens General Hospital in Liverpool will help more people get the care they need close to home.

The new unit and centre were officially opened today, July 22.

“This project is an excellent example of the positive change that can happen when a community, private business, and government work together, with a shared goal of putting the needs of patients first,” said Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine.

Government committed $3.5 million towards the $16-million renovation. The remaining funding came from private donors, the Queens General Hospital Foundation, the Region of Queens Municipality, and community fundraising.

“The province is proud to be part of this project, but it’s the community that has really made it happen,” said Mr. Glavine.

The new clinic will focus on health promotion, self-care and education. A variety of health professionals will be on-site to help patients improve their health and manage chronic disease.

The province has also committed $650,000 a year in operational funding for the new primary care clinic and modernized facility. This will go mainly toward hiring staff, including family practice nurses, a social worker, and a chronic disease nurse educator.

“The project was developed, designed and constructed to promote health and healing by offering space, features and technology that support the delivery of quality care and services to the people of this community,” said South Shore Health president and CEO, Janet Knox.

“With a clear commitment from the community, the region, the province and the Queens General Hospital Foundation – which made the single largest contribution to the project – we’ve reached our collective goal.”

The new medical unit is focused on safety, healing, efficiency and privacy for the patient and staff. Improvements include:
— safety and efficiency features like ceiling lifts, adjustable cabinetry and better access to supplies
–- wider hallways and larger elevators that will allow staff to safely move patients in wheelchairs and beds
–- upgraded air handling system, upgraded electrical system and new generator
–- more handrails and visual cues to help people find their way around
–- rooms where patients can speak confidentially with health-care professionals
–- private washrooms for every inpatient, two isolation rooms and more handwashing stations
–- better healing environment through noise reduction, more natural light and warmer colour palettes.

“We have a long tradition of excellent health care in Queens. The community’s generous support for this project will ensure that it is continued well into the future,” said Region of Queens Municipality Mayor and former South Shore Health Board member Christopher Clarke.

FOR BROADCAST USE

     A new primary health-care centre and medical unit is now

open at the Queens General Hospital in Liverpool.

     The new and modernized primary health-care clinic will

allow patients to see a team of staff who can help them manage

chronic diseases and improve their health.

     The new medical unit has bigger elevators, an upgraded

electrical system and air handling system, private consultation

rooms, private washrooms for every inpatient and a new

generator.

     Most of the money for the $16 million renovation came from

the community.

     The province invested $3.5 million in the building and put

six hundred fifty thousand a year toward the costs of running

the clinic.

Source: Release