New Operating Room for Cumberland Health Authority

Residents of the Cumberland County area will receive enhanced health services and care closer to home, thanks to a new operating room being built at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Upper Nappan.

Health Minister Angus MacIsaac announced the $800,000 project during his visit to the region covered by the Cumberland Health Authority today, March 29. The third operating room is expected to be ready by Jan. 1, 2006.

"Part of our plan for health care is to provide health services in communities, closer to home and in a timely manner. This announcement will help us do just that," said Mr. MacIsaac. "It also recognizes the great work the district has done in recruiting physicians and specialists to the province."

The Cumberland Health Authority's recent success in recruiting health-care staff has resulted in an increase in surgeries and other health services such as obstetrics and ear, nose and throat services. The health authority is expected to have the services of four general surgeons by the end of the summer, up from one in the spring of 2004. This will have a significant impact on the use of operating room space.

"The Cumberland Health Authority is extremely grateful that the province has recognized the hard work of the health authority by helping us to increase our capacity and capability to meet the surgical needs of the residents of Cumberland County," said health authority CEO Bruce Quigley.

Since August 2004, the number of day surgeries and in-patient surgical admissions has risen. The funding of a third operating room suite will allow the hospital to increase capacity and support its health professionals.

Funding for creation of the operating room will be shared by the province, the Cumberland Health Authority and the federal medical equipment fund.