Laying the foundation
PCH Foundation has ambitious $2.5-million target for 2017
Three operating rooms in Prince County Hospital are in line for some much-needed upgrades. Speaking at their annual general meeting last week, vice-president of the Prince County Hospital Foundation, Liz Maynard, said the current medical equipment is starting to show its age. “$1.4 million is going to refit the three operating rooms, and it’s not a case that the equipment doesn’t work by any means, but as we all know technology has changed and upgraded,” she said. The money is coming from the annual fundraising efforts of the Foundation.
Three operating rooms in Prince County Hospital are inline for some much-needed upgrades.
Speaking at their annual general meeting last week, vicepresident of the Prince County Hospital Foundation, Liz Maynard, said the current medical equipment is starting to show its age.
“$1.4 million is going to refit the three operating rooms, and it’s not a case that the equipment doesn’t work by any means, but as we all know technology has changed and upgraded,” she said.
The money is coming from the annual fundraising efforts of the Foundation. Medical equipment used in the three operating rooms at Prince County Hospital dates back 13-years. Chairman of the board at EMS, Dr. Scott Cameron, compared a former CT-Scanner at Prince County Hospital to that of a 1960s television in his speech during the Harry T. Holman Volunteer Award presentation portion during the meeting.
“We use it to save lives and to early diagnose. And we can’t do the jobs we do without great tools,” he announced to an audience at Prince County Hospital
St. Lawrence Room. The quality of images from the new $750,000 CT-Scanner that was unveiled in July 2016, are like a new flat-screen HD television –“it’s an order of magnitude.”
The 160-slice 3D scanner, compared to the former 16-slice scanner, allows for precise highresolution images and better patient diagnosis. Treasurer of PCH Foundation,
Wayne Carew, said the new medical equipment will not only benefit the individual patient, but also the community.
“By making technology minimally invasive it’s not only great for the individual patient, but also the employer and the community. If someone is coming in for a gall bladder procedure with minimum invasive surgery they are out that day,
whereas years ago they would be off work for a month,” he said.
Maynard said the remaining $1.1 million from the Foundation will be used to update ongoing medical equipment and hospital ascetics.
“From beds to different types of new medical equipment, floors and ascetics, that’s the goal and we continue to reach out to the community who have been very supportive,” she said.
Award presented
The Foundation’s Harry T. Holman Volunteer Award was presented to the Summerside Lions Club, for significant contributions to Prince County Hospital.
The award, presented annually for the past 33-years, has special symbolism.
“The award symbolises the welcoming arms of the hospital because the doors are always open for everyone, from all walks of life. And the base is the basic medical knowledge upon which we help people to get better whether it’s a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure,” said Carew.
Donors were presented, during the evening, certificates of appreciation for their tremendous support and volunteer work.
Dr. Cameron was presented a cheque for $887,800 by president Patrick McSweeney on behalf of the Prince County Hospital Foundation, all in support of new hospital medical equipment.
All money donated to the Prince County Hospital Foundation goes towards equipment funds.
More information available at: www.pchcare.com