Dartmouth General Hospital Renovations to Go Ahead

Improvements to the Dartmouth General Hospital emergency department will go ahead in this fiscal year, the provincial government announced today.

"Trends in patient service have changed nationally and health care facilities must keep pace," said Health Minister Jamie Muir. "With current technology and procedures, it is possible to treat an increasing number of patients on an ambulatory or outpatient basis rather than on an inpatient basis -- but emergency departments should be capable of managing that service in the most effective and efficient manner possible."

The original emergency department at the Dartmouth General was designed to treat 18,000 patients annually. The department was upgraded in 1982 when the annual patient number rose to 25,000. The patient count for 1999 was 40,000 and with a rising urban and rural population served by the hospital that number is expected to rise even further.

The $10-million dollar upgrade will provide for improved flow-through for patients, improved working conditions for staff and, ultimately, an improved service to those who receive care. For example, necessary changes over the years to accommodate more patients have resulted in the waiting room being out-of-sight of the emergency department staff. Nurses prefer to have a clear view of the waiting area so they can monitor changes in patient conditions.

"The staff at the Dartmouth General are doing a great job in the current facility and will be able to do an even better job when the emergency department is redesigned to provide for better flow-through and service," said Mr. Muir. "We have listened to their concerns and feel it's very important to move ahead with this project."

This capital project is part of an action plan announced in February of 1999 to address both patient and staff concerns at the hospital. Since that time, a CT Scanner has been installed at the facility and four critical-care beds have been opened.

Work on the project is expected to begin this summer and be completed by the fall of 2001.

The Department of Health will contribute $7.5 million toward the project. The remaining $2.5 million will be contributed by the Dartmouth General Hospital Charitable Foundation.

"The Dartmouth General Hospital is a vital link in health services in the Capital District," said Mr. Muir. "We are pleased to strengthen that link and also commend the Charitable Foundation for its generous support of this project and its continuing commitment to the community served by the hospital."