The Victoria Hospitals Foundation (VHF) is purchasing $1 million in critical care equipment for Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH).
This is part of a $7 million commitment to fill the hospital’s priority care needs in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $1 million will immediately be used to fund the outfitting of an interim high acuity unit (HUA). HUAs are key in tackling the COVID-19 crisis as they serve patients recovering from severe respiratory distress, in addition to surgery and other serious medical conditions.
The equipment purchased for the HUA will include eight new critical care beds designed to care for ventilated patients, upgrades to the critical care patient monitoring system, a dedicated ultrasound machine, and other specialized equipment.
The remaining $6 million will allow Island Health to build an additional HAU and help them provide a level of care that is not possible in a standard ward.
RJH is one of the two primary sites for COVID-19 patients on the island. The other is Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
“More than ever, we see our community united, and deeply connected to our hospitals,” says Steve McKerrell, Board Chair of the VHF. “We are so proud to support Island Health’s priority needs at all times, but especially now.”
The VHF has launched the It’s Critical campaign in order to raise the $7 million needed. This funding will nearly double Royal Jubilee’s critical care capacity.
Island Health is working with its provincial partners to acquire the necessary equipment as soon as possible. Purchasing has already begun for all of the above items, and additional nurses were hired and trained earlier this year.
“I cannot describe just how important the High Acuity Unit will be. It will absolutely save lives, of that I have no doubt,” says Dr. Omar Ahmad, Department Head of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine with Island Health.
“Please know this need is so critical, and we truly value all community members who can support us. We are in this together, now more than ever.”
You can donate to It’s Critical here and contribute to increased critical care capacity in Victoria.
See all the latest updates about the global COVID-19 pandemic on Vancouver Island
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 1,897,148.
Over 117,700 people have died from the illness and 438,205 have made a full recovery.
