REPOST FROM INTERIOR HEALTH

Residents of East Kootenay are one step closer to having increased access to diagnostic  testing within the region. Construction has started on the addition to East Kootenay  Regional Hospital (EKRH), which will be home to a new, permanent MRI service.

Rendek Group of Companies was selected as the general contractor overseeing the construction of the new MRI space – an approximately 200 square metre (2,150 square foot) addition on the east side of EKRH adjacent to the intensive care unit. Construction is expected to be complete in the spring of 2018, and the new MRI unit operational in the summer.

Today, East Kootenay residents receive MRI testing at a shared mobile MRI unit that comes to East Kootenay Regional Hospital for one week every four weeks. The new unit will mean the service is a permanent resource.

“We recognize the challenges residents face when they must travel to access health services. This permanent MRI will improve patient care by reducing the need for patients to travel or and will decrease the waiting time for an appointment,” says Interior Health Board Chair Dr. Doug Cochrane. “The permanent installation in Cranbrook also allows the mobile unit to be deployed for additional testing elsewhere in Interior Health.”

The total investment for the new MRI, which covers the cost of the machine and the renovations to EKRH, is $5.65 million. The Ministry of Health through Interior Health is contributing $2.21 million and Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) $2.14 million to the MRI project, with the East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH) and the Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary covering the remaining $1.3 million.

“Our contribution to the permanent MRI in Cranbrook reflects the commitment from all our directors and our communities to investments that support access to a broad range of health-care services within the East Kootenay,” says KERHD Board Chair Dean McKerracher. “The Board is pleased to see that construction work on this important project is under way, and we look forward to the start of this enhanced service next year.”

The enthusiasm around the permanent MRI and the generosity of East Kootenay communities allowed the EKFH to achieve its 18-month campaign goal of $650,000 in just five months.

“We were overwhelmed with the community support we received for the MRI,” says Wes Rogers, EKFH Chair. “Charitable donations came from all over, from young children all the way to large corporations. So many people recognized the need for a permanent MRI and responded with tremendous generosity.”

The $650,000 in funding from the Auxiliary has also already been secured.

“The ongoing generosity of local residents and shoppers at our Thrift Store and Gift Shop, and our other fundraising efforts allowed us to meet our commitment to this important enhancement to diagnostic imaging services. All of our work is made possible through the dedicated efforts of our amazing volunteers and I can’t thank them enough,” says Bonnie Close, CHCA president. “Auxiliary members talk to area residents every day who are excited about the addition of the permanent MRI and the benefits of having an enhanced local service.  We can’t wait for it to open.”

Background

 MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is a safe and painless test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of the body’s organs and structures. MRIs are used to diagnose a number of medical conditions, including abnormalities of the brain, as well as tumours, cysts and soft-tissue injuries in other parts of the body. MRI scans are important diagnostic tools that do not use radiation; however, other types of diagnostic imaging – x-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) – are more appropriate tools for many types of medical conditions.

In addition to the current mobile MRI unit (which also provides service in Penticton and Trail), Interior Health has MRI units at Kelowna General Hospital and Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. Permanent MRI machines have been approved for Penticton Regional Hospital and Vernon Jubilee Hospital, which are expected to become operational in 2019.

Dean McKerracher (R) and Larry Binks (L) congratulate each other on their election as Chair and Vice Chair of the KERHD

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board has elected its Chair and Vice Chair for the coming year.

Elkford Mayor Dean McKerracher has been elected Chair for a third term. “I am grateful for the opportunity to fulfill the role of Chair and thank my fellow Directors for their continued confidence in me,” says McKerracher. “As I look ahead to 2017, I am eager to continue to build on our strong working relationship with Interior Health; to celebrate the completion of some of the key projects that are underway; and, work cooperatively to ensure our residents have access to the equipment and acute health care facilities they need.”

Regional District of Central Kootenay Electoral Area C Director Larry Binks has been elected as Acting Chair. “My experience in pre-care and acute care gives me an understanding of the needs of the region. I believe this, combined with my nine years as member of the Hospital District Board and a previous term as Acting Chair, will be assets in my role as 2017 Acting Chair,” says Binks. “I look forward to working with Chair McKerracher and the entire Board and appreciate the opportunity to serve.”

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District provides up to 40 percent capital funding for acute care facilities in the region for equipment and facility construction and renovation.

The Hospital District extends beyond the boundaries of the RDEK to include the Towns of Golden and Creston, and the portions of the Regional Districts of Central Kootenay and Columbia Shuswap surrounding those municipalities.

KERHD Board Chair Dean McKerracher paid tribute to Donna Grainger at the KERHD Board Meeting this morning.

Grainger, who has been the Executive Director of the East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH) for the past 11 years, has announced her retirement.  In the time she has been with EKFH, they have raised approximately $3.3 million dollars for needed medical equipment, patient comforts and other essential items at the Hospital and community Health Care facilities.

There have been some tremendous successes – like the Starlite Campaign, which has raised over $973,000 in 8 years and the “Clear View” campaign, which raised one million dollars, and was completed 13 months ahead of schedule.  Another example of success was the $500,000 raised in collaboration with Auxillaries of Invermere, Windermere, Radium and Edgewater for the Invermere Emergency Room Redevelopment.

“Donna, your passion for the Foundation and its work has been evident since the beginning and have directly contributed to the Foundation’s numerous achievements. We all recognize this was far more than a job for you and that you truly poured your heart into every day, every dollar, and every project.  You will leave big shoes to fill,: noted McKerracher. “You’ve truly left a legacy to be proud of and as you celebrate your retirement, we hope you’ll take that same passion into this next phase of your life and enjoy every single day.”

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board has elected its Chair and Vice Chair for the coming year.

Elkford Mayor Dean McKerracher has been elected Chair for this second term. “I am grateful to be able to continue on as Chair and thank my fellow Directors for their confidence in me,” says McKerracher. “2016 will be an exciting year, starting with the opening of the new ICU at the Kootenay East Regional Hospital, which this Board has been a supporter of from day one. I’m looking forward to its official opening and to continuing to build on the strong relationships we have as a Board and with Interior Health.”

Invermere Mayor Gerry Taft has been elected as Acting Chair. “I thank the Board of Directors for placing its trust in me and I look forward to working with Chair McKerracher and the entire Board for the coming year,” says Taft. This will be his first year as Acting Chair.

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District provides up to 40 percent capital funding for acute care facilities in the region for equipment and facility construction and renovation.

The Hospital District extends beyond the boundaries of the RDEK to include the Towns of Golden and Creston, and the portions of the Regional Districts of Central Kootenay and Columbia Shuswap surrounding those municipalities.

L to R: 2015 Acting KERHD Chair Larry Binks and Board Chair Dean McKerracher

There are some new faces at the helm of the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board as Dean McKerracher has been elected Chair and Larry Binks as Acting Chair for 2015.

“I am honoured to have received the support of my fellow Directors and I look forward to continuing to build on the strong relationships we have as a Board and with Interior Health,” says McKerracher. “Having spent the past three years as Acting Chair, I have learned a great deal from former Chair John Kettle and am excited about this new opportunity.”

Regional District of Central Kootenay Electoral Area C Director Larry Binks has been elected as Acting Chair. “I thank the Board of Directors for placing its trust in me and I look forward to the coming year,” says Binks. This will be his first term as Acting Chair.

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District provides up to 40 percent capital funding for acute care facilities in the region for equipment and facility construction and renovation.

The Hospital District extends beyond the boundaries of the RDEK to include the Towns of Golden and Creston, and the portions of the Regional Districts of Central Kootenay and Columbia Shuswap surrounding those municipalities.

KERHD Chair John Kettle (left) receives a gift of appreciation for his years of service and leadership from Acting Chair Dean McKerracher

The November Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) meeting started off with a tribute to outgoing KERHD Board Chair John Kettle.

Kettle joined the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board in 2003 and was first elected Chair in 2008. “A great deal has been accomplished during his time on the Board. In 2007, the year before Mr. Kettle took over as Chair, the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District taxation was at its highest.  Since then, the taxation has decreased every year until 2014 when it held steady.  To put this into numbers, the 2014 requisition was 39% lower than it was in 2007,” explains KERHD Acting Chair Dean McKerracher. “Yes, some of this is to do with the major upgrade of the East Kootenay Regional Hospital, but much of it is to the credit of Chair Kettle’s leadership which included a regular reminder to us all that we mainly fund only bricks and mortar.”

Kettle was instrumental in advancing projects at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital including the ICU redevelopment and electrical upgrade, a new CT scanner, and an improved isolation room air system which totalled almost $23 million.  In addition, the $4.3 million Invermere Hospital emergency room upgrade was undertaken sooner than expected due to the Kettle’s efforts to advance the project at the provincial level.

“John worked tirelessly in the background with Interior Health, the Ministry, Ministers and MLA’s to advocate for the region and build strong working relationships,” adds McKerracher. “We will miss his leadership.”

Kettle, who did not run for re-election, will spend time with his family over the next few months and hopes to continue to be involved in health advocacy.

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District covers a large area including the RDEK, the Towns of Creston and Golden as well as their surrounding rural communities. The function of the Hospital District is to provide up to 40% of the funding for equipment and construction projects at health care facilities within the Hospital District, with the remaining cost being covered by Interior Health.

A new intensive care unit (ICU) for patients across the region is now rising above the excavated area at East Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook.

The approximate total project cost of the redevelopment project at EKRH is $20 million. Funding is provided by the Province, Kootenay East Regional Hospital District and East
Kootenay Foundation for Health, which is contributing towards the clinical equipment.

To view the latest project update from Interior Health, click here.

CRANBROOK – A significant commitment from the East Kootenay Foundation for Health for the East Kootenay Regional Hospital ICU/Electrical Redevelopment Project, along with cooperative efforts between Ministry of Health, Kootenay East Regional Hospital District and Interior Health are paving the way for a new renovated space for the existing pediatric unit at EKRH.

Click here to learn more about this exciting project.

ftp://ftp.rdek.bc.ca/kerhd/nr_cranbrook_pediatricredevelopment_6oct2014%20(2).pdf

Interior Health is pleased to inform the community that work on the East Kootenay Regional Hospital intensive care unit redevelopment and electrical upgrade is going well.

The majority of excavation for the hospital addition is now complete. Work on the foundations and the actual building structure has begun.

This work will continue through the summer.

Click here to view the full Project Update

For the seventh year, the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board has re-elected John Kettle as Chair.

“I am grateful for the continued support of this Board and look forward to continuing to build on our positive relationship with Interior Health in the coming year,” says Kettle. “Last year at this time, we were advocating for a new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for the East Kootenay Regional Hospital. Today that project is a reality and I look forward to seeing construction get underway in the coming months.”

The KERHD has committed $8 million to the ICU project, which represents 40% of the project cost.  Elkford Mayor Dean McKerracher has been re-elected as Acting Chair for a third term. “I’ve learned a lot over the past two years and would like to thank the board once again for its support and confidence in my abilities,” says McKerracher.
The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District provides up to 40 percent capital funding for acute care facilities in the region for equipment and facility construction and renovation.
The Hospital District extends beyond the boundaries of the RDEK to include the Towns of Golden and Creston, and the portions of the Regional Districts of Central Kootenay and Columbia Shuswap surrounding those municipalities.