South Peace Historical Society

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  • Table of Contents

    • Part 1: First Nations of the Peace River Region
    • Part 2: The Fur Trade Era
    • Part 3: Transportation and Communication
    • Part 4: Old Timers and the Price of Land
    • Part 5: Dawson Creek: The Story of the Community
    • Part 6: Mysteries, Adventures and Indian Legends
    • Part 7: Arts, Crafts and Recreation
    • Part 8: Agriculture
    • Part 9: Church Histories
    • Part 10: Schools
    • Part 11: Health Care
    • Part 12: Industries and Enterprises
    • Part 13: Policing the Peace
    • Part 14: Pouce Coupe, Rolla, and Other South Peace Communities
    • Part 15: Chetwynd and the Fort St. John Area
    • Part 16: The Alberta Peace
    • Part 17: Natural History of the Peace River Region
    • Part 18: Interviews with Old Timers
    • Part 19: Remembering Our Veterans

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BN11-03: Chetwynd Hospital Gets Funds to Establish Care Beds

Recent History – 1998

By Daily News Staff, Dec. 29, 1998

The Chetwynd General Hospital received a Christmas present from provincial Health Minister Penny Priddy last week. Priddy announced a $907,779 upgrade intended to allow seniors receiving extended care to remain in their community even as their health care needs change.

“This project affirms our government’s commitment to helping seniors to remain in their communities as they receive continuing care,” said Priddy.

Chetwynd General Hospital currently has 18 acute care beds. This project will reallocate these beds, ensuring the health care needs of the community are better served. During the upgrade, seven beds will be converted to multi-level care standards, which means seniors will be able to remain in the facility as their needs change. One bed will be converted for palliative care. As part of the upgrade, the hospital will also convert the current delivery room into a labour delivery post-partum suite, to ensure safety and comfort for mothers and babies in the critical times just before and after birth.

“This upgrade allows the hospital to make the birthing process much more comfortable, safe and natural,” said Priddy.

During the upgrade, sprinkler systems will also be installed throughout the hospital, increasing the level of safety in the wood-framed building. The upgrade is being cost-shared by the Ministry of Health and the Peace River Regional Hospital District. The ministry will cover 60 per cent of the cost, while the Peace River Regional Hospital District (PRRHD) will provide the balance.

“We are pleased to partner with the Ministry of Health on this important project, which will improve care for the residents of Chetwynd and area,” said PRRHD chair Karen Goodings.

“This is another step in the development of Chetwynd General Hospital, as it evolves to meet the changing needs and priorities identified by the community,” said South Peace Community Health Council chair Sheila Barnes. “The residents of Chetwynd and the health council have worked very hard to make this project a reality.”

 

This article is taken from the Peace River Block Daily News, Dawson Creek, with the permission of the publisher. The Daily News retains all rights relating to this material. The information in this article is intended solely for research or general interest purposes.

« BN11-02: Hospital Gets High-Tech Ventilator

BN11-04: South Peace Health Council Update, Dec 1998 »

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