Breast, cervical ward open sat CR H
The Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation celebrated the official opening of its Breast and Cervical Health Program ward on Monday.
The new unit integrates services for women dealing with breast cancer or cervical issues, all under one roof.
“I think (these women) know they are coming to the expertise here,” said Caroline Martin, Breast and Cervical Health Program coordinator. “We have surgeons for the breast and gynecologists for the colposcopy, and they know they are coming to a place where they are getting the right kind of care.”
Martin said formerly the cervical examinations were done in the Jack Ady Cancer Centre even though most women getting examined did not have cervical cancer, which led to an unnecessary heightening of anxiety for those patients.
“When they come here, they don’t feel as frightened,” said Martin. “Our new space is fabulous. We came from a very small department with two exam rooms and a small desk area, and now we have expanded to probably four or five times that space. We have more privacy for the patients in the waiting room. We have better examination rooms which are also more spacious.”
The renovation and integration of the departments cost $504,000, which was provided by donations through the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation. The Foundation’s executive director Jason VandenHoek said it was money well spent.
“We are very excited to bring this service to our community and enhance what was already existing here,” he said.
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