Cumberland’s New Emergency Department
The emergency department at Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Amherst will reopen in its newly renovated space on Tuesday, February 14th.
A flood in the department last May forced the emergency department to operate in a temporary location within the hospital.
The newly renovated emergency department includes repairs caused by water damage, as well as improvements to address critical space and safety concerns. The changes focused on the efficient flow of patients in and out of the department and an improved patient experience.
Featured upgrades include:
- New registration and triage space with a dedicated waiting area for triage
- New private observation room with space for three stretchers
- Patient care space expanded
- New furniture for the patient waiting room and staff work station, including colour-coded chairs for triage and waiting areas
- An improved space to support patients needing mental health services
- New water station for the waiting room
- Bathrooms updated to be barrier-free
A working group, including emergency department staff and physicians, along with staff from operations, bio-medical engineering, portering, environmental services, maintenance, and information technology will oversee the relocation to the redesigned space.
Completion of the renovations was delayed by several months due to shortages of trades workers and delays securing supplies.
Items such as fire dampers, doors, door frames and ceiling panels had to be pulled from other redevelopment projects throughout the province or procured through national and international companies.
Despite the delays, the new facility is designed to allow staff to better serve the needs of people who count on the regional centre in times of crisis.
It is the latest announcement from the provincial government in addressing the shortfalls in the healthcare system.
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