Bethesda Foundation has handed another cheque to Southern Health-Sante Sud for the massive expansion happening at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach.
Numerous improvements are happening within the entire project, but Bethesda Foundation is specifically helping fund the new and expanded surgery department, as well as the palliative care enhancements.
The surgery department expansion includes construction of three new operating theatres, a pre-operative consult room, 12 patient care spots for pre/post-operative care, sterile supply room and surgical equipment disinfection and sterilization room, reception and waiting area for patients and family, new expanded lab to meet space requirements for modern diagnostic lab equipment, new cultural space to support multi-denominational services, and expanded space to support physician and resident services, including three on-call sleep rooms.
According to Bethesda Foundation, this expansion is urgently needed at the hospital. It says the current surgery department was built in 1964, and the region has experienced unprecedented growth since then. The Foundation says it is imperative that the capacity for medical services keeps up with the region's growth.
As for the palliative care enhancements, the Foundation says this includes construction of seven enhanced private patient care rooms. They will be designed using warm paint colours, wood finishes, and artwork for less of an institutional feel. The rooms will have a view of the green space outside and will include technology for patients to be able to make virtual calls with loved ones. There will also be a large gathering room for families, with comfortable furniture, a fireplace, microwave, and coffee maker. As well, a spiritual room will be constructed to support multi-denominational services.
The Bethesda Foundation says it has long had a vision to provide enhanced palliative care services in the community. It says the population over the age of 75 in Steinbach and area, is expected to grow by nearly 25 per cent in the next few years and that some of these residents will need acute or long-term palliative care. The Foundation says its vision is that there be a peaceful, home-like environment for people during the last chapter of their life. It says this needs to include private rooms for patient dignity and space for families to gather.
Chris Goertzen is Board Chair for Bethesda Foundation. He says the Foundation has committed $8 million towards the expansion. As part of that, the Foundation recently handed Southern Health-Sante Sud a cheque for $800,000.
"Our donors have been incredibly generous and we continue to work with them to make sure that we can fulfill the community contribution for this project," says Goertzen.
Goertzen says the Foundation is pleased to be a partner in improving health for the citizens of Steinbach and area, noting it takes community partnerships to assist the regional health authority (RHA).
"It's really a collaborative effort between the RHA, the foundation, and making sure that we're giving the best opportunity for the best health care results here in Steinbach and the southeast.
The $8 million commitment by the Foundation comes from a capital campaign aimed at raising $22 million. Goertzen says they are just under $3 million away from meeting their fundraising goal. He notes this campaign will also help fund other projects.
Dana Human is Interim Chief Executive Officer for Southern Health-Sante Sud. She says it is absolutely incredible when you consider the efforts put forward by the Foundation and how it gets the community to come together.
"The generosity of this community is just something to be admired," she adds. "Just so thankful."
Human says the investment in the surgery department will help meet the needs of people in their hometown. And as for the palliative care enhancements, Human says it will ensure that an individual's health journey is safe and well cared for in the presence of family.
According to Human, the project remains on schedule, noting the weather has been a big help.
Kyle MacNair is Implementation Lead - Clinical Planning for Southern Health-Sante Sud. He notes they are expecting the entire project to be completed in spring of 2026. MacNair says construction should be wrapped up by late fall/ early winter of 2025. Following that, there will be a period of setting up the equipment and training the staff. He notes this should bring us to spring of 2026.
"Which is right around the time that we were hoping to be accepting patients into the building," he adds.