Cape Breton Regional Emergency Department Renovation

Enhanced patient care and patient flow will be benefits of a $5.3-million investment in Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney.

Health Minister Chris d'Entremont announced funding for the final phase of the district's emergency department renovation project today, May 3.

"The completion of this project is another step on the road to improving health care for residents in this part of the province," said Mr. d'Entremont. "It will mean more space for hospital staff to do their jobs, and most importantly, it will mean that more patients can receive care with ease."

The Cape Breton Regional Hospital opened in 1995. It is the main referral centre for the Cape Breton District Health Authority, as well as the trauma centre for emergencies.

Originally designed to accommodate about 34,000 patient visits a year, the emergency department now handles about 50,000 visits annually. The renovations will allow staff to comfortably treat that volume of patients, while also improving in-patient services and patient flow through the hospital system.

"Completing this renovation is part of a long-term project for the emergency department," said Jim Merkley, the district's interim CEO. "The improvements are a response to many things our staff have identified and will help support the great work they do every day. This project will enhance patient care and help smooth the movement of emergency patients through the hospital."

The work will include the addition of cardiac examination and observation rooms, a patient transfer entrance, changes to the nursing station, trauma area improvements, more observation beds, consultation rooms for mental health services, a revised triage area and changes to the emergency ambulance entrance.

The renovation work will be co-ordinated to cause the least possible disruption for patients and staff at the regional hospital.

The earlier phases of the renovation began in 1999 and were completed in 2001 with support from the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation.

The $5.3 million will be cost-shared (75 per cent by the Department of Health, 25 per cent by the Cape Breton District Health Authority) over three years.